Palestinian, Turkish, and Saudi karate teams hold joint training

The national karate teams of Turkey, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia held a joint training session in preparation for the International Turkish Open Karate Tournament, scheduled for August 21–23, 2026.

Led by Technical Director Levent Aydemir and National Team Coach Okay Arpa, the session focused on technical drills, tactical applications, and experience sharing. The event highlighted the unifying power of sports, particularly for the Palestinian athletes who traveled to Turkey to represent their country despite difficult living conditions.

Ercüment Taşdemir, President of the Turkish Karate Federation, participated in the training session alongside the athletes. He emphasized that the tatami serves as a symbol of hope and struggle beyond mere competition. Following the session, Taşdemir was honored with a plaque by a member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee for his support.