Turkish Kung Fu champion Najmuddin Erbakan Akyüz made headlines after he threw his European gold medal into the Nile River in solidarity with the people of Palestine and as a protest against Israel's genocide in Gaza. 

 

The renowned fighter, who recently won gold at the European Kung Fu Championship 2024, recorded a video message while standing by the Nile in Cairo. In the video, Akyüz declared, "All the honours I have received are not more valuable than a single drop of blood of the oppressed people of Palestine."

 

Avrupa şampiyonası Ödül töreninde Filistin'e verdiği destek nedeniyle soruşturma açılan Necmettin Erbakan Akyüz tepki olarak madalyasını Nil Nehrine attı.
Sonuna Kadar izleyip, izlettirelim. pic.twitter.com/RHBxLPfXbl

— Harun Karaca (@HarunKaraca1) May 27, 2025

 

He further added, "When a free Palestine is established, I will come back here again."

 

During the European Wushu Kung Fu Championship held in Istanbul in December 2023, Akyüz had previously waved the Palestinian flag, which led to backlash from the European Wushu Kung Fu Federation (WKFE). The federation expressed its disapproval over what it termed political gestures during the event.

 

The WKFE issued a statement saying, "Some athletes were seen making political moves during the award ceremony, which go against our principles. We have taken immediate steps by meeting the athletes involved and issuing protest notices."

 

Responding to the WKFE's reaction, Akyüz said, "I am proud of what I did. I have no regrets. If given another chance, I will do the same again. You can take my medals, you can punish me, but I took this step by putting my career at risk."

 

Addressing Israel directly, he added, "Your precious medals are now at the bottom of the river. If you have the courage, come and take them out."