The Judo Coach Who Traveled the World to Amass a Million Collection
Judo coach’s extraordinary passion gathered from 10 countries made a million collection
Selami Çelebi, a Judo coach with 2 children living in Şehzadeler district, started his journey in Judo sports through the Public Education Center in Mardin. His father’s influence, who worked there, sparked his interest in this field. With determination and hard work, Çelebi became a coach at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Kastamonu at the age of 18, just one year later.
Not only is Çelebi a National Judo referee, but he is also a national taekwondo referee and an international weightlifting referee. During a coaching trip to Georgia in 1989, he discovered his newfound passion for collecting rosaries. It all started when he bought a rosary from an antique shop in Georgia, which he liked. This sparked a passion that led him to acquire rosaries from Russia, Iran, Albania, France, Spain, Romania, Belarus, and Azerbaijan, in addition to Turkey, during his trips for competitions. Over time, his collection grew to over a million, with more than 500 unique rosaries.
Çelebi plans to pass on his collection as a legacy to his grandchildren. As a collector, he also hides metal money from the countries where he obtained the rosaries. Despite being retired, Çelebi continues to work as a copyright and remains passionate about his collection, which holds sentimental value beyond its monetary worth.
Reflecting on his journey, Çelebi shared, “We took a team to an international competition in Georgia in 1989, and that’s where my fascination with rosaries began. The collection has grown over the years, and each rosary holds significant sentimental value for me.”
Çelebi’s exceptional passion for collecting rosaries from various countries showcases his dedication and love for the artistry and craftsmanship of these unique cultural pieces. His story serves as an inspiration for others to pursue their passions and appreciate the beauty of different traditions and art forms.
