He is the n°1, that’s all. Whether in the World ranking or the Olympic standing, he is the boss. Ugur Aktas is one of the nuggets of the young golden generation of Turkish Karate.

At only 23 years old, he is 3-time Seniors European champion (-84 kg), 3-time European champion and 2-time World medalist by team, and already has 9 wins in Karate 1, including 4 this year !

Impassioned by mathematics, mastered in engineering, Ugur Aktas is someone endearing, humble and jovial. He would like to face his idol of youth, Rafael Aghayev, to solve the most complicated mathematical equations, to master his doubts...

By Ludovic Mauchien / Photos : Kphotos

In Istanbul, his hometown, chance was not wrong. The martial arts club closest to the parental home was a Karate club. Allah be praised ! The turbulent child will be calmed. He especially found his way. From his yellow belt, his Sensei, as he calls his teacher, predicts for him a brilliant future. He's then 10-11 years old.

Brilliant pupil, at Dojo as at school, when a teenager, he fully devotes himself to his two hobbies, Karate and mathematical equations. As for Karate, he won 4 European Youth championship titles including 3 in a row (Juniors in 2012 and 2013, U21 in 2014 and 2016) and a U21 World championship gold medal in 2015.

His idols ? Haldun Alagas, the first Turkish World champion in 1990 (at 18), Rafael Aghayev and Enes Erkan, the 2-time heavyweight World champion (2012 and 2014). The last was silver World medalist with him (2016). The second, he dreams of matching him. “I follow Rafael for more than 10 years. To meet him in a team fight would be a great moment and would be a great memory”, he smiles. The 3rd is now his coach in the national team.

More than a kid's dream, Ugur Aktas is honored to be coached by the 2-time World champion (1990, 98). “Of course it's an honor ! He is superior to me. I have not been World champion yet. When I get on the mat, I'm more relaxed because I know he's on the chair behind me. I listen to everything he tells me. He's been a great champion and he's a great coach. He knows everything ! I have full confidence in him and it also gives me more confidence”.

Ugur Aktas belongs to the young golden generation of Turkish Karate with Burak Uygur (-67 kg), Eray Samdan (-60 kg), Erman Eltemur (-75 kg) ... All U21 World champions, they have grown together since they are teenager , they have won together since the Juniors, they are the 3-time running Senior European champions by team (but Samdan, not in team). More than partners, they are brothers and they are only 23-24 years old…

“I WAS VERY SAD ! I WAS SO CLOSE TO BE WORLD CHAMPION...”

Ugur Aktas, by his charisma, his personality and the record he has built, appears as one of the leaders of the Turkish national team. Since he graduated with a degree in engineering, he has devoted himself to Karate, at least until the Tokyo Olympics.

European champion of the -84 kg category in 2016, 2017 and 2019 (3rd in 2018), he had to 2018 to compete in his 1st World Senior championship, Enes Erkan extending his reign until 2016.

But Madrid, last November, remains its worst memory to date, the kind that leaves a bitter taste. In the semi-final, he is opposed to Croatia’s Ivan Kvesic... “10 seconds were remaining and we are tied (1-1). I have the advantage thanks to the Senshu. And I let him score a point ! He was directly World champion because the final did not take place (Chobotar was KO, so Shikoku). I was very sad ! I was so close to be World champion... I want to win the next one. Just the name... "World champion” ! But I was also happy because it was my first medal at a World championship”.

Since then, he has put adversity at a safe distance. 11 tournaments, 8 podiums, 5 wins, a place of Number 1 in the World ranking as in the Olympic standing. He is the only one in the circuit to have such a lead over his pursuers (3500 points on Poorshab in -84 kg, 1300 on Ganjzadeh in +75 kg), a mattress comfortable enough to allow road exits.

Unfortunately for his opponents, this is not his style although sometimes, he can still doubt about him. “Sometimes, I forget who I am, I ask myself too many questions, but my Sensei and my family are here to remind me that I am a great fighter and a good student”, he smiles.

For the time being, he has put aside his engineering profession to devote himself fully to karate in order to fulfill his two dreams : to be crowned Olympic champion and world champion. He is taking the right path...

His interview, episode 1 (short)

His full interview

.