Yağızhan Success Story

Yağızhan an athlete.

A brief introduction to yourself?
My name is Yağızhan but The world knows me as BayRafi The Last Samurai.
I’m from Turkey. I’m 18 years old. I will be 19.

How did you develop your fondness for karate?
I started with my family at the age of 4. everybody tells me I was born for martial arts. I think God gave me this. My dad is Shihan, My mother is the first female provincial representative in Turkey. It’s in my blood. I’m Samurai! 

What drew you to Karate out of all other sports?
My family raised me with the doing philosophy. respect, discipline, pain, perseverance, persistence, success. I love this culture.

At what age did you start learning karate?
I started 15 years ago when I was 4.

What is your style and what rank do you currently hold in karate?
I am 2 dan Black Belt. Style doesn’t matter for me It’s about people. My most evident styles Kyokushin Shotokan Ashihara. I do Kyokushın Ashihara Shotokan.

What was the highest prize you won?
I’m 15 times Turkey, 2 times European Champion.

What do you like more Kata or Kumite?
I love both but. If you wanna be a real Karateka, you must do Kata. It’s must be 50%50.

Do you have a favorite Sensei?
It’s my dad.

How did you get to this position and how was your journey being in this sport?
I knew it would be really difficult. I worked very hard. I suffered a lot. I had unfortunate injuries.  For a 4-year-old, I was very disciplined.  I used to see myself as a very big person.  people would see me as a big person.  I worked endlessly. I never gave up. but I was born for karate I knew this.

Do you take karate as your profession or is it just a hobby?
Karate is my life, this is my love my job ı was born for karate.

Who’s been an inspiration for you throughout your sports journey?
I think there are many. I’m trying to learn something good from the best martial artists. If you wanna name, Andy hug, Lechi Kurbanov for Kyokushin,  Alexander Lavrushin for Ashihara Rafael Aghayev for Shotokan.

What challenges did you come across on getting where you are at today?

You can share any injury story as well.
I made a lot of sacrifices. I was just a little kid, I was training, while my friends were playing games on the street I was training two a day. I made a promise to myself to become a champion.

All my fingers, shoulder, knees are broken. I needed a where-chair. Doctors said my sports life is over. I do not give up, It was very difficult. I said to myself “Rafi It’s gonna be hard. you’re alone” I had physical therapy. I worked every day. When my shoulder broke the doctor said you can’t fight I just laughed at him and said I heard that before. I became the European champion a year later. I love pain.

What motivates you the most about your profession as an athlete?
The music, the flag I represent, I shouldn’t let people down. I just have to feel the beat.

What are your strengths as both an athlete and as a person?
As a person, I never give up, as a Karate I got fast and furious kicks and punch. I’m both a gentleman and a gangster Karateka.

Do you have something you want everyone to learn?
Become a gentleman, live like gangster Samurai!

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