The opening program of the Turkish University Sports Federation Taekwondo Turkey Championship, hosted by Erzurum Technical University (ETÜ), was held.

124 women, 152 men and 40 poomse athletes from 65 universities across Turkey competed fiercely in the championship that continued for 3 days. Athletes who achieve success in the Turkish Championship will be entitled to receive a visa for the Interuniversity European Taekwondo Championship to be held in 2024 and will represent their universities in the international arena.

ETÜ Rector Prof. attended the opening ceremony of the program. Dr. Bülent Çakmak, Erzurum Deputy Governor İlyas Öztürk, Erzurum Youth Sports Provincial Director Birdal Öztürk, Turkish University Sports Federation Taekwondo Representative Prof. Dr. Fatih Çatıkkaş, Turkish Taekwondo Federation Vice President Seyfullah Özdemir, academicians and many university students attended.

Speaking at the opening program, which started after the national anthem and a moment of silence, Rector Çakmak stated that they were very pleased to host the Interuniversity Taekwondo Turkish Championship and said: “The athletes trained by our country in the Taekwondo branch are achieving important successes at the international level. I would like to thank everyone who contributed, especially our federation, for these successes. I sincerely wish success to our 13 athletes who will represent our country in the Taekwondo branch at the Summer Olympics to be held in Paris this year. "On this occasion, I once again wish success to all our athletes and technical staff who come to our university from all over Turkey and compete," he said.

After the speeches, the athletes took to the mat and exhibited breathtaking fights, which received great admiration from the audience. Rector Çakmak presented the medals to the athletes and congratulated them at the event, which continued with the award ceremony of the athletes who were entitled to be on the podium in the competitions held on the first day of the championship. At the ceremony, Çiğdem Topçuoğlu, Coach of Çukurova University, protested Israel's massacres by saying that she presented the medal she won to the children in Gaza.

Corporate Communications and Promotion Directorate 30.01.2024