Earlier this year, Yusuf Genc made a public threat: “If I don’t total 360KG (160/200) by the end of the year, I’m quitting this sport.”
His best? 348.
Yusuf has come a long way from his heated rivalry against teammate, and reigning World Champion, Muhammed Furkan Ozbek—a relationship he sees differently now. The pair had traded blows for years, but, leading up to Paris at least, Genc always seemed to be on the back foot.
Then, at the European Weightlifting Championships last year, the wind changed.
- Ozbek uncharacteristically bombed out.
- Genc set a 12KG personal best.
It was all Yusuf needed. “I am going to celebrate my 10th year in this sport with a gold medal at the World Championships,” he told us, a few weeks before Batumi.
His warm-up: Another European title, four days from now.
Weightlifting House x Yusuf Genc
Below is our conversation with Turkish weightlifter Yusuf Genc. We caught up with Yusuf a few weeks before the 2026 European Weightlifting Championships, and immediately prior to the announcement of his self-imposed 360KG mandate.
Portions of this interview have been edited for clarity.
Weightlifting House (WH): What does your training schedule look like right now?
Yusuf Genc (YG): "I'm doing double sessions; morning and evening. My plan is to become the European Champion again, and then I'll prepare for the Mediterranean Games (August) and World Championships (October).
I am targeting the 75KG category. For the next few months until it comes out, I'm going to be preparing with a completely different training plan, made with my coach, than what I've used so far. My goal is to exceed the numbers I've been targeting."
WH: What weaknesses are you working on?
YG: "At the moment, I don't have any weaknesses. I am in great form, and our training camps are going incredibly well. Also, the weather is perfect in Antalya these days, 18 to 20°C."
WH: What's your relationship like with Muhammed Ozbek these days?
YG: "Muhammed Furkan and I are in different weight classes now, and I think his move to 65KG was great—nobody could really push him at Worlds. He had a very comfortable and dominant performance there.
Ultimately, our shared goal is to bring home the maximum number of medals at international competitions and the Olympics. We're a team: We prepare together, we support each other at camps. Our 'rivalry' only ever existed when we stood upon the podium together. Overall, we have a very good relationship."
WH: How are Turkish weightlifters treated by your national federation?
YG: "The Federation gives me everything I need. For the European Championships, we have been put up in a very nice hotel, and we're very satisfied with the support we receive. Our federation's President personally checks in with us, and with our coaches, every day.
In Turkey, weightlifting is one of the main sports, along with wrestling. Our work is highly loved by the public. We even recently had the opportunity to meet and dine with President Erdogan after our Minister of Sports invited us for iftar (a cultural banquet that breaks the Ramadan fast)."
WH: What do you think of the 2028 Olympics qualification procedure?
YG: "It doesn't matter to me what the procedure is. I will lift the weight I need no matter what. I just love competing. Overall, the more competitions there are, the better."
WH: How did you get started in weightlifting?
YG: "I was in middle school, wrestling, and wanted to try other sports. I went to see our school's volleyball coach, who said to me, 'What are you going to do with a volleyball? Go do weightlifting.' I had a very fit physique for a kid.
So, I went to the weightlifting club and began my journey under my coach, Cumali. By my second week, at 13 years old, I had squatted 100 kilograms. My federation has even allowed him to join me at our camp in Antalya. This hasn't happened for me before, and it has really benefitted me mentally.
Having the same coach I started with by my side this year has had a massive impact. He knows me well, and we're moving forward with a great plan that I hope will continue through to the Olympics.
This year, I am going to celebrate my 10th year of weightlifting with a gold medal at the World Championships."
