2023 Spor Toto Junior and Senior Turkey Judo Championships started with the hosting of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality

The opening ceremony of Spor Toto Youth Turkey Judo Championship, hosted by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, was held. Sports City Kocaeli will host the Youth Championship, which was previously planned to be held on February 11-12, but postponed until a second announcement due to the great earthquake of the century, and the Championship for Seniors, which was planned to be held in Denizli.

785 ATHLETES FROM 56 CITIES

The opening ceremony, which started with a band and special performances, was concluded with the speeches of Metropolitan Municipality Youth and Sports Services Department Head Şemsettin Yıldırım, Youth and Sports Provincial Director Gökhan Yavaşer and Turkish Judo Federation President Sezer Huysuz. A total of 785 athletes, trainers, referees and club managers, 320 women and 465 men from 56 provinces, participated in the championship, which started at the Martyr Police Recep Topaloğlu Sports Hall. In the competitions that took place on 4 tatami, the athletes fought fiercely to get medals.

SEZER: AS THE JUDO FAMILY, WE ARE IN A DEEP SADDLE

Turkish Judo Federation President Sezer Huysuz said in his speech, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our judo family’s valuable Hatay Provincial Representative, İbrahim Saday, in the earthquake that took place in Kahramanmaraş. We are very happy to organize this beautiful organization in Kocaeli, a city that has brought great services and great athletes to Turkish judo. I would like to thank our Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakın for his contributions to us.”

YAVASER: WE ARE VERY Emotional When We See Our Youth

Wishing success to all the athletes participating in the championship, Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Gökhan Yavaşer said, “We were very touched when we saw our young people at the ceremony. I hope that the 2 days  Sport Toto Youth Turkey Judo Championships will bring blessings to you, our city and our country. I would like to thank our Mayor Tahir Büyükakın and our institutions for their support to the organization.”

GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT BÜYÜKAKIN

Starting his speech by conveying the greetings of Tahir Büyükakın, the Mayor of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, who works in the earthquake region, Şemsettin Yıldırım, Head of the Youth and Sports Services Department of the Metropolitan Municipality, said that Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality is working hard to meet the needs of Hatay, which was affected by the earthquake. In his speech, Yıldırım said, “Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Hospital was opened to the service of the people of Hatay with the presence of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Our athletes from Hatay and Kahramanmaraş also participated in this championship. I wish God’s mercy to all our brothers who died in the earthquake, and a speedy recovery to our wounded. Together, the state and the nation will heal our wounds. It is a pleasure to see you, our esteemed athletes, standing tall. Last year, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality had a clear leading position with national and international sports organizations. This year, we will continue to support sports and athletes. We will do our best to host all the athletes and guests participating in the organization.”

COMMENTARY PHOTO TAKEN WITH JUDOKAS

After the speeches, the President of Turkish Judo Federation Sezer Huysuz and Member of the Board of Directors Serhan Çatal presented plaques to the protocol members. Afterwards, the members of the protocol and the judokas participating in the championship took a souvenir photo together.

Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency