A Young Talent Representing Türkiye In Karate

A Young Talent Representing Türkiye In Karate

Ahmet Öztürk… A candidate to become the Arda Guler of Karate! Although he is only 18 years old, Ahmet Oztürk has already made his name with national and international achievements in karate. His passion for karate allowed him to overcome a journey full of difficulties, with perseverance. Let’s hear from him how he wrote an inspiring story with his global achievements, his determination in karate and the support he received during this journey.

How did you start doing karate? Can you tell us about the process of making this decision and what happened afterwards?

I was a hyperactive child, and I started doing karate upon my mother’s decision to discharge my energy. I wasn’t so interested at first, I always tried to escape from training, but with the support of my family, I kept it up anyway. Later on I got my first medal, and my interest in karate increased over time. So I decided to do this sport professionally. The workouts were challenging at the beginning as they required discipline and dedication, but it also motivated me to see that I was improving every day. For me, karate has been a journey not only physically but also mentally. Over time, I have improved myself both technically and personally, and my love for this sport has further increased.

You have championships and achievements; can you tell us about them? In what years did they happen, and what were the challenges and joys?

I received my first degree in 2019 as the third in the Black Sea and Caspian Countries Championship, a national and international competition, and won the bronze medal. This was a turning point for me, and getting a reward for my efforts clinched my commitment to karate. After that, I continued to do this sport much more willingly. I received a silver medal at the 2022 Turkish Karate Championship and became the selections’ runner-up. This was the result of a very intense training and many challenging conditions. In 2022, I experienced a physical disease in my waist and had to take a break from karate for 1 year. Actually, the doctor had forbidden me to do karate anymore, but I didn’t listen to him and continued my trainings. In fact, I participated in my training sessions more ambitiously. As a result, I received a gold medal at the 2024 Turkish Karate Championship and qualified for the national team, becoming the first to be selected by beating all competitors. We have prepared for the 2024 World Championship with our national team. The biggest challenge was to overcome my own limits and accept defeats without demoralizing myself. But every match I won gave me great joy and motivation. I finished the championship as the third in the world, and this was a source of great pride both personally and on behalf of my country.

What does karate mean to you?

Karate is not just a sport for me, it is a guide for my life. This journey has granted me many values such as discipline, dedication, patience and perseverance. It earned me the courage to face the challenges and the strength to fight them. Thanks to this sport, I have become not only a stronger athlete but also a more mature and conscious person.

What would you like to say about your cooperation with Özdisan?

Our cooperation with Özdisan has been one of the major turning points in my career. Both their financial and moral support played a big role in my success. Özdisan is a brand known not only in terms of sponsorship, but also for the support it gives to athletes. With this cooperation, I had the opportunities necessary to improve myself even more and the chance to reach my goals even faster. I consider myself a partner who continues to cooperate professionally and sincerely.