The fifth recipient of the Mustafa V. Koç Sports Award is world champion and national gymnast İbrahim Çolak. His inspiring journey, rooted in love and solidarity, is a powerful reminder that every great achievement is built on teamwork.
In a world often marked by challenges, conflict, and division, the one İbrahim Çolak is building stands out as something truly different. Since childhood, he has been surrounded by kindness and support—thanks to his family, friends, and coaches. Determined to be worthy of this unwavering support, he made incredible sacrifices in pursuit of his passion for sport.
Born in Bornova, Izmir, İbrahim was introduced to gymnastics at a very young age by his uncle, a former gymnast. As a child, he quickly rose to prominence, becoming the Turkish Champion in his age group. Yet, at that age, the pull of the streets, friends, and everyday play nearly led him to give up the sport.
At a turning point, encouraged by his family and coaches, he decided to give it one last try. That decision—one final effort that turned into years of dedication—culminated in a gold medal at the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Today, “The Çolak” move, named after him, is officially part of international gymnastics literature.
Those who know İbrahim describe him not only as a champion in gymnastics, but as a champion of kindness and camaraderie. He embraces friendships just as strongly as he does the rings he has mastered. His warm rapport with competitors only deepens the respect he commands in the sport. It’s no surprise to anyone familiar with him that he is the latest recipient of the Mustafa V. Koç Sports Award.
The performance that won him the gold at the World Championships lasted just 50 seconds. But his story is far from over. There’s no doubt that İbrahim will continue to inspire generations of young athletes for many years to come.
