Background
He was born in the village of Gürdan in the Boğazlıyan district of Yozgat Province, Turkey.
He was born in the village of Gürdan in the Boğazlıyan district of Yozgat Province, Turkey.
After retiring from competition, from 1955 to 1979 he coached the national wrestling team and prepared multiple international competitors. Appointed the head trainer by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) in Switzerland, he gave lessons on wrestling techniques to sportspeople from all around the world. He is recognized as one of Turkey"s best wrestlers, with exceptional technique as well as the most aesthetic physique.
In addition to his other honors, he was awarded with the Légion d"honneur of France.
Atik died on 27 April 1979 in a hospital in Ankara. Two sports halls—one in İzmir with a capacity of 1,200 people and another one in his hometown Yozgat—are named after him.