IGU Students Make History at the European Championships
Students from Istanbul Gelişim University brought pride to our university and our country with their outstanding achievements at the European Championships held in Madrid, Spain. Berk Erol, captain of the Turkish National Team and an IGU student, made history by becoming European Champion for the eighth consecutive time.
Born in Istanbul in 1998, national athlete Berk Erol achieved a rare feat in the world of combat sports by winning all 41 official matches he has competed in throughout his career. Known for his speed, technical ability, and mental resilience, Erol continues to be one of the most successful athletes on the international stage, with 5 World Championships and 8 European Championships to his name.
At the championship held in Madrid on October 31, 2025, Berk Erol:
defeated his Spanish opponent 3-0 in the first round,
defeated his Portuguese opponent 5-0 in the semifinals,
and defeated his Romanian opponent 5-2 in the final, once again reaching the top of Europe.
The chants of “El Turco!” that rang out from the stands during the final match once again highlighted the international impact of the national athlete’s performance. The Spanish press hailed Erol as “the star of the championship,” praising his performance as “a Turkish storm on the mat.”
On the second day of the championship, Istanbul Gelişim University students Akın Can Bingöl, Resul Can Deniz, and Berk Erol achieved another significant success by becoming European Champions as a team in the synchronized kata category. The trio received perfect scores from the judges for their harmonious performance and technical mastery.
As Istanbul Gelişim University, we congratulate our students Berk Erol, Akın Can Bingöl, and Resul Can Deniz on their outstanding performance on the international stage and their European Championship titles; we wish them continued success.