Zeliha Ağrıs (born 20 January 1998) is a Turkish taekwondo practitioner who competes in the bantamweight (‑53 kg) division. She became a world champion at the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, South Korea, and has earned multiple medals at European, World Grand Prix, and Islamic Solidarity Games events.
Early life and education
Ağrıs was born in Beyşehir, Konya Province, Turkey. She began practicing taekwondo at the age of ten after being inspired by demonstrations at a local gym. She later received support from her parents and continued her training while pursuing a degree in sports science at Selçuk University in Konya.
Taekwondo career
- International debut: 2011 European Cadets Championships (‑41 kg) in Tbilisi, Georgia.
- Junior achievements: Bronze at the 2013 European Junior Championships (‑55 kg); gold at the 2015 European Junior Championships (‑55 kg).
- Senior breakthrough: Bronze at the 2016 European Championships (‑55 kg) in Montreux, Switzerland.
- World champion: Gold in the women’s bantamweight (‑53 kg) at the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships, defeating Tatiana Kudashova in the final.
- Subsequent medals:
- Silver at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games (‑53 kg).
- Bronze medals at the 2018 World Taekwondo Grand Prix events in Rome and Moscow.
- Silver at the 2019 European Championships (‑53 kg) in Bari.
- Silver at the 2021 European Championships (‑53 kg) in Sofia.
- Gold at the 2022 European Championships (‑53 kg) in Manchester.
Ağrıs has also achieved podium finishes at numerous G‑1 and G‑4 World Taekwondo events, including victories at the German Open, Spanish Open, and Turkish Open.
Style and recognition
Known for her aggressive kicking techniques and strategic fighting style, Ağrıs is regarded as one of Turkey’s leading female taekwondo athletes. Her world title contributed to heightened visibility for Turkish women in the sport.
Personal life
Beyond competition, she continues her academic studies in sports science and represents Selçuk University in national university competitions.
References
- Zeliha Ağrıs, Wikipedia, accessed 2024.
- World Taekwondo Federation competition records.
- Turkish Taekwondo Federation official results.