His father Hüseyin İldem was a wrestler of Greco-Romen style competing in the 74 kg division for the national team in the years 1980–90. Cenk İldem began with wrestling at the age of ten, with his father's encouragement. Hüseyin İldem coaches his son since then. Cenk's younger brother Kansu also competes in wrestling.[4]
Cenk İldem studied physical education and sports at Niğde University. Since 2007, he serves as a teacher at Şişli Industrial Vocational High School in Istanbul.[4]
Cenk İldem is winner of several medals in junior and senior class at European as well as world level. He won the gold medal at the World Junior Wrestling Championships in 2006 held in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He became gold medalist at the 2005 European Junior Wrestling Championships held in Hungary and again in 2006 in Poland.[3]