In 1997 he wrestled in several international championships at junior level, but also already at senior level. At the World Military Championships that year he came second in the heavyweight Greco-Roman style behind Alexei Kolesnikov of Russia and third in the free style behind David Musulbes of Russia and Alireza Rezaei of Iran. At the 1997 European Junior Championships in Istanbul and at the 1997 World Junior Championships in Helsinki, he took first place in both events. In Istanbul he won ahead of Artjom Achigev from Russia and Alex Modebadze from Georgia and in Helsinki ahead of Alexis Rodríguez from Cuba and Artjom Achigev. After the retirement of the 1996 Olympic champion Mahmut Demir, he was also entered in the 1997 European Senior Championships in Warsaw. However, he narrowly missed out on a medal there. Turkey used Zekeriya Güçlü at the 1997 World Championships.
