Competing against Ukrainian, Turkish, Russian, and Dagestani opponents at the 2025 AJP Tour Turkey National Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 15-year-old Near East Sports Tower athlete Deniz Turan won the gold medal in the 66-kilogram youth men’s kimono (Gi) category and the silver medal in the no-kimono (No-Gi) category.
Near East College 11th-year student and Near East Sports Tower athlete Deniz Turan returned from the 2025 AJP Tour Turkey National Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Istanbul with a gold and a silver medal.

In the tournament, which was open to international participants, 15-year-old Turan achieved another significant success by winning the gold medal in the 66-kilogram youth men’s Gi category and the silver medal in the No-Gi category. At the championship, which brought together Jiu-Jitsu athletes from around the world in Istanbul, Deniz Turan faced off against Ukrainian, Turkish, Russian, and Dagestani opponents. Turan, who won one gold and one silver medal in the weekend-long competitions, made the tournament a success by finishing on the podium twice.

Near East Sports Tower is bringing out new champions
Near East Sports Tower stands out not only for its individual performances but also for developing disciplined and well-equipped young people who embrace sports as a way of life. With modern training areas, a professional coaching staff, and versatile training programs, it offers young athletes an environment where they can pursue both academic and athletic success.

Deniz Turan’s success is a reflection of Near East Sports Tower’s vision of “bringing out future champions.”

Discipline, consistency, and passion brought success!
Near East Sports Tower’s young athlete, Deniz Turan, trained for the tournament with Near East University Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Head Coach Diogo Moraes Azevedo. Diogo Moraes Azevedo, a world and European champion himself, expressed his great pride in his student’s success, saying, “Deniz is an athlete who has stood out with her discipline, determination, and desire to learn since the first day he started sports. These medals are a result of her dedication and consistent work in training.”

Azevedo explained that at the Near East Sports Tower, they aim to develop athletes capable of competing on the international stage by strengthening young people physically and mentally. He added, “At the Near East Sports Tower, we operate with a world-class infrastructure and educational approach. It’s extremely motivating for us to see young athletes like Deniz stand out in this environment and achieve international success.”