Turkish Medal Haul in Taekwondo: Spectacular Show in Warsaw

Just a day after the impressive poomsae demonstrations, taekwondo athletes at the European Universities Championships turned their focus to kyorugi – the traditional sparring competition. Inside the Sports Hall of the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Management, competitors battled across eight categories. Turkish universities dominated the mats, collecting ten medals, including six golds.

All women’s gold medals are heading to Turkiye. In the under 46 kg category, Tuvanna Nazli Kesgin of Ondokuz Mayis University took the title, defeating Dzelja Makas from the University of Sarajevo. Bronze went to Romania’s Ingrid Gabriela Busuioc of the National University of Physical Education and Sport, and Italy’s Brigida Bernardi from the University of Genoa.

An almost all-Turkish podium was seen in the women’s under 53 kg category. Senanur Celik (Ondokuz Mayis University) clinched gold after beating compatriot Saliha Bagceci (Anadolu University) in the final. Bronze was shared between fellow Turk Ikra Nur Tasoluk (Istanbul Gedik University) and Spain’s Maialen Renteria Perez from the University of the Basque Country.

Another Turkish champion emerged in the women’s under 57 kg class, as Ruya Diler of Istanbul Gedik University took gold after overcoming Katarina Kraisnik of the University of Sarajevo. Bronze medals went to Edanur Celik (Ondokuz Mayis University) and Divine Dagnet (University of Paris-Saclay).

In the women’s under 67 kg category, Sila Nur Gencer from Anadolu University claimed the top spot. Silver went to Vanessa Chiamaka Shestopalka (University of Valencia), while bronze was shared by Ana Mafalda Coelho (University of Porto) and Hungary’s Anna Somogyi (Semmelweis University).

Spain secured gold in the men’s division thanks to Pablo Luque Ruiz of University Pablo de Olavide, who defeated Jose Carvalho of Manchester Metropolitan University in the final. Bronze medals were awarded to John Haboc (Anglia Ruskin University) and Filipe Martins (University of Porto).

“The semifinal was probably the toughest fight for me, it really drained a lot of energy. By the time I reached the final I was already a bit tired, but I’m delighted to have taken gold. It’s a fantastic way to start the season, and a great chance to test myself against opponents from so many different countries and universities. The experience has been amazing. I really like Warsaw – the organization has been excellent and the atmosphere around the competition is brilliant,” said Pablo Luque Ruiz.

 

Turkish medal tally was further boosted in the men’s under 68 kg and under 74 kg categories. In the lighter division, Gokhan Emre Kesgin triumphed over Andrea Spreca (Marche Polytechnic University) in the gold-medal match. Sharing bronze were Luca Grestini and Muhammed Fatih Adilovic. In the under 74 kg class, Mehmet Kani Polat of Sabanci University secured gold ahead of Portugal’s Tiago Reis. The podium was completed by Mykola Marchenko (Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences) and Montenegro’s Ognjen Komatina (University Donja Gorica).

In the highly competitive under 80 kg division, victory went to Matej Nikolic from the University of Zagreb. He finished ahead of Manuel Martinho (University of Lisbon). Bronze medals were claimed by Vasilije Peruncic (University Donja Gorica) and Sohrab Alipour (St. Mary’s University).

While taekwondo has already crowned champions in 12 finals, karate will take the spotlight on Monday, when all finals will be contested. The gold-medal matches at Arena Ursynów begin at 10:00 a.m., with the closing ceremony of the European Universities Championships scheduled for the same venue later that evening at 8:00 p.m.

More information: https://combatsports2025.eusa.eu/

Wyniki: https://results.eusa.eu/index.php?page=multi&id=123&menu=1&ln=en

Txt: Krzysztof Sędzicki
Photo: Łukasz Szeląg