the Third European Kurash Championship, Turkish athletes won six gold, four silver and three bronze medals, while the women secured five gold, five silver and five bronze medals. Thus, the Turkish national team appeared on the championship podium in both categories.

Billiards. Pool tables that could only be seen in palaces and rich mansions at the beginning of the 19^th century began to appear in game halls frequented by youngsters after 1935. However, the Billiards Federation could only be established in 1993.

Turkish World Champion Semih Saygıner’s successful and popular performances in his shows all over the world, including Argentina, Colombia, USA, Japan and all European countries actually helped to promote Turkey’s image among billiards fans. While Yılmaz Özcan placed first in the World Cup qualifiers in 1997, Turkish Ladies Team won the European Championship Nine Ball in 1998, Semih Saygıner won the European Championship Three Cushion in 1999 and Murat Naci Çoklu won the same event in 2004. Semih Saygıner also won the World Cup and the title of “Sportsman of the Year” in 2003. In addition, the Turkish National Team including Semih Saygıner made history by winning the World Championships both in 2003 and 2004. The Billiards Federation was given autonomy in 2006. At the World Championship held the same year, Semih Saygıner placed second and Tayfun Taşdemir placed third.

Olympics and Other Games. Turkey placed 22^nd by winning a total of 10 medals among the 202 participant countries at the 28^th Summer Olympic Games held in Athens in 2004.