Medipol’s golden season in sports

Istanbul Medipol University continues to extend its achievements in education and science to the field of sports. Preparing its students not only for academic excellence but also for the future through the discipline of sports, team spirit, and a culture of perseverance, the University attracted considerable attention with the successes it achieved during the 2025–2026 season.

Throughout the season, Istanbul Medipol University competed in 42 national and international competitions with 208 athletes. In addition to winning 18 medals, the University distinguished itself across numerous sports disciplines by securing Turkish championship titles, multiple podium finishes, a world championship, a world runner-up title, and notable achievements in Europe. The accomplishments achieved in archery, kickboxing, basketball, volleyball, sailing, athletics, triathlon, snowboarding, karate, wushu, esports, boxing, and many other disciplines once again demonstrated the University’s consistent rise in sports. The achievements earned throughout the season were crowned at the Athlete Honor Ceremony organized at the end of the year.

MEDIPOL ONCE AGAIN AT THE SUMMIT OF ARCHERY
As in recent years, Istanbul Medipol University ranked among Türkiye’s most successful universities in archery during this season.

The Women’s Compound Bow Team became the champion at the Turkish Interuniversity Championship, while the Men’s Compound Bow Team finished third in Türkiye. National athlete Hatice Efdal Köse crowned her successful season by winning the bronze medal at the Conquest Cup.

These achievements in both team and individual archery categories once again demonstrated that Istanbul Medipol University continues its consistent rise in this discipline.

MEDIPOL’S SIGNATURE ON THE WORLD AND EUROPEAN STAGE
Medipol athletes also achieved significant success in international competitions.

National athlete Meryem Naz Ayas, a student in the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts at the School of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, achieved a remarkable accomplishment by finishing as the world runner-up at the Kickboxing World Cup. Bayram Eren Celep claimed the world championship title, while national athlete Sami Onur Keleş continued his preparations toward the European Championship. Türkiye’s runner-up finish and fourth place in Europe in snowboarding, together with international achievements earned across different disciplines, further reinforced Medipol’s upward trajectory in sports.

CONTINUED PROGRESS IN TEAM SPORTS
Istanbul Medipol University also enjoyed a successful season in team sports. The Women’s Basketball Team finished as the Istanbul runner-up, achieving an important milestone toward its goal of competing in the Super League. The Men’s Basketball Team placed sixth in Istanbul, while the Women’s Volleyball Team secured fourth place in Istanbul.

The Esports Team finished as the Turkish runner-up, while both the Women’s and Men’s Kickboxing Teams completed the season by placing third in Türkiye.

A SUCCESS STORY FROM SAILING TO ULTRA MARATHON
At the Presidential International Yacht Races, the Istanbul Medipol University Sailing Team finished second in the overall classification while also achieving a notable result in the universities category.

The University also demonstrated its development across different sports disciplines by delivering a successful performance in its first-ever participation in the Turkish Interuniversity Triathlon Championship.

In athletics, Efe Sarı secured first place in his age category at the Istanbul Half Marathon, while Medipol athletes also achieved podium finishes in the 112-kilometer ultra marathon.

A BROAD SPECTRUM OF ACHIEVEMENTS ACROSS DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES
Istanbul Medipol University competed with its students in numerous national and international competitions across a wide range of sports, including archery, kickboxing, basketball, volleyball, sailing, triathlon, athletics, karate, wushu, snowboarding, boxing, cycling, football, futsal, handball, beach volleyball, beach handball, tennis, table tennis, chess, fencing, and esports.

In wushu, the University achieved one Turkish runner-up title and four third-place finishes in Türkiye, while it also secured a third-place finish in boxing and a fifth-place finish in cycling. In chess and judo, significant results were achieved, earning qualification for European competitions.

This broad spectrum of achievements demonstrated that Istanbul Medipol University is among the institutions that consistently produce success not only in specific disciplines but across many areas of university sports.

A SPORTS ECOSYSTEM THAT MAKES SUCCESS SUSTAINABLE
Istanbul Medipol University regards sports not merely as a means of achieving competitive success but as an integral component of its holistic educational approach that supports students’ physical, social, and personal development. With its modern sports facilities, experienced coaching staff, and student-centered approach, the University prepares its athletes for national and international competitions while continuing to elevate its success across an increasing number of disciplines each year.

The achievements attained throughout the season were crowned at the Athlete Honor Ceremony organized by Istanbul Medipol University. During the ceremony, athletes and coaches who achieved distinguished results in national and international competitions were honored, and the efforts and accomplishments demonstrated throughout the year were shared with the public.

INVESTMENT IN SPORTS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW
President Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk of Istanbul Medipol University emphasized that the University values not only students’ academic success but also their athletic, cultural, and social development, stating:

“At Istanbul Medipol University, we aim to educate our students not only as professionally qualified individuals but also as disciplined, productive, healthy individuals with a strong sense of teamwork. Sports constitute one of the strongest components of this vision. The championships, medals, and rankings achieved by our students in national and international competitions during the 2025–2026 season have been a tremendous source of pride for all of us. Behind these accomplishments lie not only the determination of our students but also the dedicated efforts of our coaches, academics, and the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports. As Istanbul Medipol University, we will continue to expand our investments in sports and remain committed to educating athletes who will successfully represent our country on both the national and international stage.”

Competing in 42 national and international competitions with 208 athletes during the 2025–2026 season, Istanbul Medipol University distinguished itself across numerous sports disciplines by winning 18 medals, Turkish championship titles, multiple podium finishes, a world championship, a world runner-up title, European rankings, and significant achievements in international competitions. Viewing the athletic development of its students as an inseparable part of its educational philosophy, Istanbul Medipol University continues to strengthen its prominent position in Turkish university sports each year through the national athletes it nurtures and the achievements it attains.