The 2017 GRAND WINNER of the Female Kumite -50kg category is SERAP OZCELIK. The Turkish heroine took the award that recognises the best of the best of the year and extended her continued presence among Karate’s elite.

The 2017 GRAND WINNER of the Female Kumite -50kg category is SERAP OZCELIK. The Turkish heroine took the award that recognises the best of the best of the year thus extending her continued presence among Karate’s elite.

Turkey’s Serap Ozcelik is one of the most decorated Karatekas of the sport nowadays and has taken a place among the top competitors of the ancient modality for nearly a decade. After no less than 26 medals in international competitions in eight seasons, the 29-year-old Turkish fan favourite continues making history for the sport claiming one of the few recognitions missing in her full gallery of trophies.    

“I am very happy for this award. It has been a big surprise for me because I didn’t know that I could win! This is a very important recognition since it honours the big winners of the year,” said Ozcelik after receiving the red "K" trophy that identifies the GRAND WINNERS.

CONSTANT PRESENCE AT PODIUMS

The 2014 World champion has completed a successful season after reaching the podium in nearly all her international appearances. The bronze medal she earned in Karate 1-Premier League in Paris and two silver medals in Karate 1-Premier League in Rabat and Dubai secured the Grand Winner award for the affable karateka who turns into a fierce and skillful competitor when she steps into the tatami. 

“This season has been very good for me. I have been able to make it to the last day of competition in almost every tournament that I have participated in, so I am very happy with my performance,” added the Turkish heroine.

In addition to claiming three medals in Karate 1-Premier League, Ozcelik managed to reach the third place in the European Championships. It was her eight medal at the continental tournament which the 1st dan Shotokan karateka has won three times (in 2014, 2012 and 2011).

URA-MAWASHI QUEEN

The athlete who is a physical education teacher at a primary school in her native city of Istanbul is leaving a mark in international Karate. The speed she applies to her performances and her ability with kicking actions have made of the Turkish karateka a favourite among fans. Ozcelik’s ura mawashigeri kicks are highly celebrated by enthusiasts and feared by rivals alike thus becoming a true trademark of today’s Karate.

While keeping the top form at high-level sports represents a daunting and almost impossible effort for most top competitors, Ozcelik has managed the impressive accomplishment of keeping her spot among the medallists of first-class events for over seven years. After her first medal in senior competitions, at the 2008 European Championships, the Turkish heroine has reached the podium 26 times in 32 tournaments. 

Regardless of her countless triumphs, the bronze medallist at The World Games 2017 feels that her time in high-level karate is far from over. Ozcelik has a clear goal:

“I want more. I want to keep on winning. I want to be in the Olympic Games,” said the Turkish champion.