By: Madi Senghore
The Gambia has achieved its best-ever performance at the World Karakucak Wrestling Championship after two of its wrestlers reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 competition held in Ankara, Türkiye.
The championship, organised by the Turkish Traditional Wrestling Federation on 16 August, attracted 170 registered athletes from 31 countries, with 145 competitors taking part.
The Gambia fielded three wrestlers: Babucarr Mboge, popularly known as “Arobaz”, in the over-90kg category, Ali Ndow (“Artist”) in the 75kg division, and Gebriel Chaw (“Chat”) in the 80kg category.
While Mboge was eliminated in his opening bout, Ndow and Chaw produced strong performances to advance to the quarter-finals in their respective weight classes.
Ndow finished fifth among 16 wrestlers in the 75kg category, while Chaw placed eighth in the 80kg division, which also featured 16 competitors.
The results represent The Gambia’s highest achievement in the history of the World Karakucak Wrestling Championship and underline the country’s growing competitiveness in traditional wrestling on the international stage.
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