Haldun Alagaş

Haldun Alagaş (November 16, 1970 in Izmit, Turkey) is a Turkish karateka competing in the kumite -70 kg division. He is multiple world and European champion and ranks first at world list in his weight division.[1][2][3]

Haldun Alagaş
Born	November 16, 1970 Izmit, Turkey
Nationality	Turkish
Division	-70 kg
Style	Karate
Team	2006-2010 Kocaeli Büyükşehir Belediyesi Kağıt Spor Kulübü 1994-2005 Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor
Trainer	2010-present Kayseri Büyükşehir Belediyespor
Rank	1st (world)
University	Marmara University

Haldun Alagaş

Medal record
Men's Karate
World Championships
	1998 Rio de Janeiro	-70 kg
	1990 Mexico City	-70 kg
European Championships
	2001 Sofia	-70 kg
	2000 Istanbul	-70 kg
	1998 Belgrade	-70 kg
	1997 Tenerife	-70 kg
	1996 Paris	-70 kg
	1992 's-Hertogenbosch	-70 kg
	1991 Hanover	-70 kg
	1990 Vienna	-70 kg
	1989 Titograd	-65 kg

Personal life

Born on November 16, 1970 in Izmit, he completed his primary and high school education in his hometown. Following his graduation from the high school, In 1989, Alagaş enrolled in the Middle East Technical University in Ankara to study physical education. However, he dropped out already in the first semester at prep school. From 1991 on, he studied physical education and sports at Marmara University in Istanbul, and graduated with a degree.[2]

Haldun Alagaş is married to a music teacher. The couple has a son Emir and a daughter Elif.[2]

Sports career

Inspired by the martial art scenes in Battal Gazi films of Turkish actor Cüneyt Arkın and films of Bruce Lee, he began with karate sport in Izmit in 1982. His first official fight was at the 1986 Turkish Karate Championships, where he became champion in the youth category. He had the red belt.[2]

With gaining success in sports at international level, karate became a lifelong passion and a life style for him.[2]

Alagaş competed between 1994 and 2005 for Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor's newly formed karate team. In 2006, Alagaş transferred to Kocaeli Büyükşehir Belediyesi Kağıt Spor Kulübü in his hometown, where he was until 2010.[2]

Currently, he is coaching karateka in the Kayseri Büyükşehir Belediyespor.[2]

Achievements

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Turkey
1989	European Championships	Titograd, Yugoslavia	Silver	kumite -65 kg
1990	European Championships	Vienna, Austria	Bronze	kumite -70 kg
	World Championships	Mexico City, Mexico	Gold	kumite -70 kg	November 8–11
1991	European Championships	Hanover, Germany	Gold	kumite -70 kg
1992	European Championships	's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands	Bronze	kumite -70 kg
1996	European Championships	Paris, France	Bronze	kumite -70 kg	May 3–5
1997	European Championships	Tenerife, Spain	Gold	kumite -70 kg	May 2–4
1998	European Championships	Belgrade, Yugoslavia	Bronze	kumite -70 kg	May 8–10
	World Championships	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	Gold	kumite -70 kg	October 18
2000	European Championships	Istanbul, Turkey	Gold	kumite -70 kg	May 5–7
2001	European Championships	Sofia, Bulgaria	Bronze	kumite -70 kg	May 11–13
2005	Dutch Open	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Silver	kumite -70 kg	March 12–13
2010	Open de Paris	Paris, France	5th	kumite -84 kg	March 12–13

Legacy

A multi-purpose indoor sport complex in Ümraniye district of Istanbul, the Haldun Alagaş Sports Hall, is named in honor of him.[4]

References

1. "Haldun Alagas". Karate Records. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
2. Özdemir, Necmettin (2011-10-29). "Sensei Haldun Alagaş" (in Turkish). Türk Karate. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
3. "Madalya avcıları - Karate Ustaların ustası Alagaş". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 1998-10-29. Archived from the original on 2011-08-30. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
4. "Tesisler-Haldun Alagaş Spor Kompleksi" (in Turkish). Spor AŞ. Archived from the original on 2012-12-14. Retrieved 2012-11-27.