05.07.2026 01:01
National kickboxer Kadir Yıldırım won his 32nd Turkish championship title without fighting a single match at the Turkey Kickboxing Championship held in Bolu, after his opponents failed to enter the ring. The veteran athlete, who started the July 1-9 event from the quarter-finals, claimed the gold medal without fighting as his semi-final and final opponents withdrew. Yıldırım, the first Turk to win consecutive gold medals at the WAKO World Championship, added another extraordinary achievement to his career.
National kickboxer Kadir Yildirim achieved a rare success at the Turkey Kickboxing Championship held in Bolu. Unable to step into the ring due to his opponents' injuries and withdrawal decisions throughout the tournament, Yildirim declared his 32nd Turkish championship without competing in any match.
OPPONENTS FAILED TO APPEAR
The Turkey Kickboxing Championship, organized in Bolu between July 1-9 and bringing together the country's best fighters, witnessed a first in sports history.
National athlete Kadir Yildirim, who entered the championship from the quarterfinal stage, experienced an interesting process as his opponents successively withdrew from the tournament.
After his semifinal and final opponents decided not to step into the ring, the experienced athlete climbed to the top of the podium without even putting on gloves.
FIRST TURKISH ATHLETE TO MAKE WORLD KICKBOXING HISTORY
Maintaining his dominance in Turkey with this tournament, which he won without fighting by intimidating his opponents, Kadir Yildirim also holds records on the international stage. With consecutive championships and gold medals at the WAKO Senior Kickboxing World Championship, Yildirim holds the title of the first Turkish athlete to achieve this success. The 32nd national victory, achieved without any fight, has been recorded as the most unusual championship in the athlete's career.