The Last Round: Boxing, Martial Arts, and a Social Conscience
In the dead of this past winter, I ran into a friend in Cihangir who seemed uncharacteristically ecstatic. I told him as much and...
Through the Lens: Beşiktaş Match Day Mayhem
While there are many demographics represented in Istanbul, the city can be divided into three main tribes, based on loyalty to Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, or Beşiktaş. I am...
3, 2, 1, Polo! The story of Istanbul Bike Polo
Article guest-written by James McKay. Photos by Colin Craig.
Urban hardcourt bike polo is a sport that began with a group of bike messengers in...
Take 5: Çengelköy
Coming around a bend on the Anatolian side between the two bridges is the aptly named Çengelköy. The neighborhood, whose name means hook village in Turkish, is...
Istanbul Half Marathon Recap
Although predictions had called for a sunny morning, April 26 turned out to be a dreary day with clouds and slight showers. Nevertheless, many Istanbulites...
In Conversation with Ata Dizdar of Turkish Football Weekly
It's no secret that football banter is frequently relied on to help expats and locals bridge the gap. The real struggle lies in creating the...
Cihangir Yoga Sessions with Chris Chavez
"The more you know, the more you see there is to be known.” Tucked away in the Istinye branch of Cihangir Yoga studios on...
Biking the ‘Bul
There are two very good reasons not to cycle in Istanbul. 1) The terrifying prospect of facing the Istanbul traffic with nothing but thin...
It’s All Fun and Games with the Harlem Globetrotters
Even though I do enjoy an occasional soccer match or basketball game, I am not a big sports fan. However, I was miffed three...
Feel the Istanburn: Gyms in Istanbul
Choosing a gym is much like choosing a life partner: sure, you have to like the look of them at first, but where will...
Sveta Nekrasova’s Documentary on the Koç University Hockey Team
Hockey is a sport that thrives in northern countries like Canada, Sweden and Russia. As such, most people would never guess that ice hockey...
In Conversation with Andrea Gabba, Coach of the Turkish Triathlon Federation...
Gökay Ürk recently got in touch with Andrea Gabba, coach of the Turkish Triathlon Federation National Team, to discuss his new role. Andrea, who...
Insider Trading: Umeyoga
Umeyoga takes its name and its essence from the large plum tree growing in the courtyard. Ume means plum flower in Japanese and the...
Walk the Slackline
I guess you can call it serendipity, because it’s not often that I find a sport I love so much. I love yoga and...
Fancy Some Rugby? Chatting with Kadıköy Rugby Club
This weekend I went in search of rugby in the hinterlands of Kadıköy, a neighborhood on the Asian side of Istanbul. I discovered a...
In Conversation with Mountaineer Nasuh Mahruki
By Gökay Ürk
Nasuh Mahruki is a prominent figure in Turkey - an accomplished mountaineer, he has also served as a instructor, organizing personal development,...
Mountaineering in Turkey: Climbing Destinations and Mountaineering Clubs
By Gökay Ürk, guest writer for Yabangee
After providing an introduction to Turkish mountaineering history and highlighting some prominent Turkish climbers, let’s take a look...