By Katie Finn

When Faruk Sahin won the U.S. World Team Trials Greco-Roman bout at 145.5 pounds, his reaction was typical of any wrestler who has made it to the top. When asked how confident he was going off to the World Championships, his answer was simple: “Nobody can beat me.”

            But Sahin’s journey to this place has been anything but typical.

            Over a decade ago, Sahin was wrestling at the top of his weight class and dominating the competition. He was a member of the World Team and a two-time national champion … for his native Turkey, where he was a standout amongst his fellow wrestlers.

That is when he made an unexpected decision. He chose to leave wrestling. He left his sport, his family and his country for a chance at the “American Dream.”

            “Really, everybody’s dream is to come to the U.S.,” said the 33-year-old Sahin. “When I came here, I had nobody from our family, no relatives here. I wanted to be the first one. I love this country. I quit my wrestling career and everything because I wanted to pursue my life.”

            Sahin found his wrestling home within the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program. As a Greco-Roman wrestler, he got the support he needed from the Army program. He credits Coach Shon Lewis with his growth and technical development.

            “Coach Lewis is great for the sport. Whatever we need, it is right there. The coaches are unbelievable. They go out of the way to help us.”

            In 2001, his first year wearing the Army singlet on the international stage, Sahin won the Sunkist Kids International Open and followed that up with victories at international tournaments over the course of the next four years. He was proving that he belonged in United States wrestling and was a force to be reckoned with.

            In 2004, two momentous events occurred. Sahin became a naturalized American citizen and was crowned U.S. national champion, seemingly accomplishing the success he had sought when he left Turkey. 

            But the celebration was short-lived. Sahin was stripped of his title after failing a drug test following the U.S. National Championships. He served the two-year suspension, but kept training.

            Sahin competed in the 2006 U.S. Nationals, but after a disappointing tournament, questioned his future in the sport. “After the 2006 Nationals, I quit wrestling,” said Sahin. “But then my coach got me back on the program. He said ‘Faruk, I’ve got your orders.’” Sahin realized he was being given another chance.

            Since re-committing himself to the sport, Sahin has racked up back-to-back victories at the U.S. Armed Forces championship and placed second in the 2008 World Military Championships. He was runner-up to Jake Deitchler at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, losing a very close best-of-three championship final.

            With Deitchler moving up a weight class, Sahin has separated himself from the pack in 2009. Sahin defeated Mark Rial to win the 2009 U.S. Nationals. Facing Rial once again in the Championship Series at the  World Team Trials, Sahin knew this is what it was all about. “I have been in the finals how many times and never made the World Team or Olympic Team, but this is a good start.

            The unlikely road he started down over ten years ago is now leading him back home, both literally and figuratively. Sahin will be competing once again at the Worlds, but this time for his adopted county, the United States. He will also be wrestling in front of family and friends that will make the trip from Turkey to Herning, Denmark.

            All eyes will be watching to see if his road leads to victory at the World Championships.