Beat the Streets New York alums help Columbia win 2026 Ivy League Wrestling Championship

New York City natives Sulayman Bah and Evin Gursoy power Lions to first conference title since 1982.

Beat the Streets New York alumni Sulayman Bah and Evin Gursoy played a vital role in Columbia University's first dual meet Ivy League Championship since 1982 and fifth in program history.

Bah and Gursoy provided a 1-2 punch for the Lions at the start of duals at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively. The Bronx native Bah delivered a dominant 15-0 technical fall against Brown, and Brooklyn's Gursoy followed with a fall to power Columbia's 28-10 win against Brown to cap an undefeated Ivy League campaign (5-0).

Bah, a junior, went undefeated in Ivy League duals with five wins, while the freshman Gursoy had three victories.

As Columbia celebrates its first Ivy League title in four decades, the contributions of these New York City natives and BTS alums stand as an example for the next generation of NYC wrestlers. Bah started wrestling in the BTS Junior League, NYC's only elementary and middle school wrestling league, and continued on throughout high school in the life-changing Academy program. Gursoy joined BTS in high school, winning two titles at the New York state tournament.

Their journey from BTS wrestling mats to Ivy League champions highlights the BTS community - from coaches and mentors to families and supporters - committed to developing NYC student-athletes both on and off the wrestling mat. Bah and Gursoy's success showcases how strategic, sustained investment in NYC youth through wrestling and mentorship continues to create pathways and open doors to the highest levels of college competition.

Columbia wraps up its regular season with a dual against Bucknell on Sunday, Feb. 22. The Lions kick off the postseason by hosting the Ivy League Championships on Sunday, March 8, where Bah (19-11) and Gursoy (19-13) will look to qualify for the NCAA Championships (March 19-21) in Cleveland, Ohio.

(Photos courtesy Geoff Riccio)

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About Beat the Streets New York 

Beat the Streets Wrestling is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the full human and athletic potential of New York City’s urban youth through the sport of wrestling. Beat the Streets has pioneered a movement that now includes 110 individual wrestling programs, a youth league and the first girls high school league. Through wrestling, Beat the Streets instills discipline, perseverance, self-reliance, humility, and a strong work ethic, creating lifelong impact for more than 4,000 student-athletes while strengthening NYC’s wrestling culture. To learn more and support the mission, visit btsny.org/donate and follow Beat the Streets on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.