Tokyo Olympics become Turkey's most successful by total medals
Archer Mete Gazoz of Turkey wears his gold medal at the Yumenoshima Archery Field in Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2021. (Reuters Photo)


The Tokyo Games became the most successful Olympics in Turkey’s history in terms of the number of medals when karateka Uğur Aktaş won a bronze in karate on Saturday.

Aktaş was defeated by Sajjad Ganjzadeh of Iran in the semifinal of men’s +75 kg. karate kumite competition.

The Turkish karateka's bronze became the 13th medal for Turkey in Tokyo, beating the record of 12 medals set in London 1948.

The karate team brought the most medals for Team Turkey at the Olympics with four. No other team won more medals in karate, which made its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics, than Turkey.

Earlier, Eray Şamdan won the men's silver medal in the 67 kg. kumite, Ali Sofuoğlu took bronze in men's kata, while Merve Çoban won bronze in women's 61 kg. kumite.

Turkish wrestlers secured three medals, all bronze, while two more third places were taken in taekwondo.

Gold medalist Mete Gazoz won the country's first-ever award in archery, while Busenaz Sürmeneli grabbed the maiden gold in boxing. Another woman boxer, Buse Naz Çakıroğlu, won the silver medal.

Meanwhile, Ferhat Arıcan made history by winning Turkey’s first-ever gymnastics medal at the Olympics when he clinched bronze in the men’s parallel bar event.

Eleven of Turkey's 13 medals were won in martial arts competitions.

The Tokyo Games will end Sunday with a closing ceremony at the Japan National Stadium.