# Turkish boxers secure multiple gold medals at European Champ

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-success-at-european-boxing-championships
> Updated: 2026-09-24T16:57:00.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 3.

The 2026 European Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, concluded with a historic performance by the Turkish national team, securing a total of 10 medals: 4 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze. This achievement placed Turkey second in the general standings, trailing only Russia.

In the women’s divisions, the national team was crowned European champions. Havvanur Kethüda secured gold in the +80kg category by defeating Kseniia Olifirenko, and Hatice Akbaş claimed gold in the 51kg category. Busenaz Sürmeneli won her second consecutive European title in the 70kg division by defeating Chantelle Reid; she was also named the tournament’s best female boxer. Büşra Işıldar earned a silver medal in the 75kg division.

In the men’s division, Emrah Yaşar made history as the first Turkish male boxer to win gold in the 90kg heavyweight category at the European Championships, defeating Enmanuel Reyes Pla with a 5-0 score. Other Turkish medalists included bronze medalists Semih Gümüş, Samet Gümüş, Esra Yıldız Kahraman, Gizem Özer, and Nurselen Yalgettekin.

Following the tournament, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan placed congratulatory calls to the champions and to the President of the Turkish Boxing Federation, Suat Hekimoğlu. Officials from the Turkish Boxing Federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports praised the athletes, emphasizing their potential for future success at the Olympic Games.

## Claims

- Hatice Akbaş defeated Ruby White in a 3-2 decision. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The victory secured a bronze medal for Akbaş in the 51 kg category. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The 2026 European Boxing Championships are being held at the Asics Arena in Sofia, Bulgaria. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Ruby White suffered her second defeat in 60 professional matches. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Akbaş is competing in the 51 kg weight class for the first time. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Akbaş will face Natalia Kuczewska of Poland in the semi-finals. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-24: Turkish boxers win 10 medals at 2026 European Championship

Turkish boxers achieved historic success at the 2026 European Boxing Championship in Sofia, winning 10 medals, including 4 golds, and securing the women's team European title.

25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/havvanur-kethda-wins-european-boxing-championship-gold

### 2026-09-22: Turkish boxers advance to finals at European Championships

Turkish boxers Hatice Akbaş, Busenaz Sürmeneli, and Emrah Yaşar have all advanced to the finals at the 2026 European Boxing Championships in Sofia.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hatice-akba-advances-to-european-boxing-semi-finals

### 2026-09-17: Turkish athletes win gold at European Kurash Championship

Turkish athletes won multiple medals at the European Kurash Championship in Bulgaria, including gold medals for Sümeyye Çekici (77 kg) and Ümmügül Deste (70 kg).

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-athletes-win-gold-at-european-kurash-championship

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Cite as: Turkish boxers secure multiple gold medals at European Champ. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-success-at-european-boxing-championships