{"id":28384,"date":"2026-09-03T21:02:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T21:02:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=28384"},"modified":"2026-09-03T21:02:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T21:02:03","slug":"the-lieutenant-dismissed-from-the-turkish-armed-forces-came-second-in-the-bodybuilding-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=28384","title":{"rendered":"The lieutenant dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces came second in the Bodybuilding Championship."},"content":{"rendered":"


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16.06.2026 17:01<\/p>\n

Second Lieutenant Serhat G\u00fcndar, who was discharged from the Turkish Armed Forces after the “sword oath” at the Turkish Military Academy graduation, came 2nd in the Bodybuilding Championship held in Georgia.<\/h2>\n

Former lieutenant Serhat G\u00fcndar, who stated that he was unjustly and unlawfully discharged from the military, achieved a historic success in his civilian life. Winning double second-place at one of the world’s most prestigious bodybuilding championships, G\u00fcndar said: “The best thing I learned was to never give up.”<\/p>\n

Lieutenant Serhat G\u00fcndar, discharged from the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) for chanting the slogan “We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal” at the National Military Academy graduation ceremony, achieved a major success by becoming world runner-up at the international Georgia NPC bodybuilding competition held in Georgia.<\/p>\n

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DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY, WROTE AN EPIC IN CIVILIAN LIFE<\/h3>\n

Serhat G\u00fcndar, one of the lieutenants who had their ties with the military severed due to the traditional sword-crossing slogans they chanted after the graduation ceremony at the National Military Academy, inscribed his name in international sports success in his civilian career.<\/p>\n

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G\u00fcndar, previously recognized for his achievements and accolades in bodybuilding, stepped onto the podium at the Georgia-based “Georgia NPC” (National Physique Committee) championship, considered one of the most prestigious events in the international bodybuilding community, with participation from many elite athletes from different countries. Managing to leave behind tough competitors, the former lieutenant achieved world runner-up in his category with high scores from the jury, proudly representing Turkey.<\/p>\n

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THIS SUCCESS IS NO COINCIDENCE<\/h3>\n

G\u00fcndar’s medal, which fills our chests with pride, is certainly not a coincidence; he is a name that has frequently made headlines with significant achievements in international bodybuilding podiums before.<\/p>\n

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Giving an exclusive interview to Cumhuriyet newspaper following his major success in the international competition, G\u00fcndar delivered very clear messages about the challenging process he went through. Referring to his departure from the TAF, G\u00fcndar said, “I was discharged from the army for saying we are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal,” once again sharing his dignified stance with the public.<\/p>\n

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“DURING MY MILITARY ACADEMY YEARS, THE SPORT I ENJOYED MOST CAME TO MIND”<\/h3>\n

G\u00fcndar conveyed the motivation that led him to bodybuilding and his undying love for his homeland with these words:<\/p>\n

“The greatest passion I have ever had in my life has always been love for my homeland, and nothing has ever come before it. Since my childhood, my only goal was to be an individual who serves his country and flag. I found one of the best ways to achieve this by following Atat\u00fcrk’s path and becoming an officer like him. However, as you all know, this opportunity was forcibly taken from me in an unjust and unlawful manner. Thanks to the education, camps, and courses I have received to this day, the best thing I learned was never to give up. While thinking about how I could represent this country again and be useful, I remembered bodybuilding, the sport I enjoyed most during my military academy years.<\/p>\n

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The week after my discharge, without taking a break, I made my first competition plan for my sports career and got to work.”<\/p>\n

PROMISES OF NEW SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE<\/h3>\n

Stating that he participated in his first official competition only 7 months after his discharge, G\u00fcndar concluded his words as follows:<\/p>\n

“I achieved my first degree there. Later, with the determination and will of a military academy graduate that I have demonstrated, I carried my career to where it is today, and within a year and a half, I reached the point of achieving second place in two categories at the NPC, one of the world’s most prestigious bodybuilding organizations held in Georgia, representing my country. From now on, I promise to achieve much better results for my country. One of my two biggest motivations for being successful in bodybuilding was not giving up on the ideal of serving my country.”<\/p>\n

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WHO IS SERHAT G\u00dcNDAR?<\/h3>\n

Serhat G\u00fcndar is a former Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) lieutenant who graduated from the National Military Academy in 2024 and is now a professional bodybuilding athlete known for his international achievements.<\/p>\n

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He is one of the 5 lieutenants discharged from the TAF after the August 30, 2024 National Military Academy graduation ceremony, along with class valedictorian Ebru Ero\u011flu and other friends, for chanting the slogan “We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal” and reciting the traditional officer’s oath while crossing swords. Following this decision, he initiated a legal challenge against the dismissal penalty.<\/p>\n

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