Ankara : In a powerful show of solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, Turkish Kung Fu champion Najmuddin Erbakan Akyuz has staged an extraordinary protest by throwing his gold medal into the Nile River. The gesture was aimed at condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, reported the MM News.
According to reports, Akyuz had won the gold medal at the 2023 European Championship. However, in a video shared on social media platform X on May 26, he stated, “None of my achievements are more valuable than a single drop of blood shed by the oppressed Palestinians.” He then proceeded to toss the medal into the Nile River in Egypt as a symbolic act of protest.
In his video message, the Turkish athlete strongly criticized Israel and the championship authorities. “I earned the first place at the European Championship through hard work, yet the Jewish lobbies made it appear as if it was granted to me as a favor,” Akyuz said. He further expressed disappointment at the European Championship organizers’ silence over the atrocities in Gaza, calling it complicity in genocide.
This is not the first time Akyuz has spoken out for Palestine. After his 2023 victory, he waved the Palestinian flag during the medal ceremony—an act that drew criticism from officials and led to an investigation. His title was eventually suspended, but Akyuz remained resolute in his stance.
As Israel’s brutal military campaign in Gaza continues, voices of protest are rising across the globe. From students to lawyers, activists and professionals are all expressing their outrage through diverse forms of demonstrations. Akyuz’s bold gesture has now joined this growing wave of dissent, garnering praise and admiration from supporters of justice worldwide.
