Sivas Students Win 2026 Turkey National Robotics Championship

Sivas Elites Shine in the Heart of Istanbul

During the scientific and technological competitions held on June 23 and 24, 2026, in Istanbul, students from the city of Sivas once again showcased their technical prowess. The 'FenTech 2026' International Festival, which featured more than 26 top schools and 90 robotics teams from across Turkey, witnessed intense competition in the fields of innovation and engineering [1]. Students from Sivas 'Martyr M. Murat Ertekin' Anatolian Imam Hatip High School participated with full preparation and managed to conquer the top podiums in two main categories of the competition.

This success was achieved while the participating teams from Sivas were a mix of local and international students, reflecting the spirit of cooperation and knowledge exchange in the region's educational system. This festival is recognized as one of the most prestigious technology events for students in Turkey, and winning a title in it signifies achieving the highest technical standards at the national level [2].

Local Technology; From 3D Printing to Proprietary Coding

One of the standout features of the Sivas teams in this edition of the competition was their reliance on local knowledge and the students' personal capabilities. According to published reports, all mechanical parts of the participating robots were designed and manufactured using 3D printers in the school laboratories. In addition to the hardware section, the complex process of coding and developing the robot control software was entirely carried out by the students themselves [1].

In the 'Er Meydanı' category, also known as Sumo robots, the first Sivas team succeeded in defeating all opponents to become champions, while the second team from the same school took second place. This complete dominance over a category demonstrates the high precision in design and the stability of the software systems developed by these young elites. Furthermore, in the 'RoboFutbol' (Robo-Soccer) category, the Sivas team secured the championship title by scoring the most goals [2].

Reflection of Success and Official Statements

Halil Duman, the principal of 'Martyr M. Murat Ertekin' High School, expressed his satisfaction with this great achievement in an interview with the media, emphasizing that the school's goal is not just to participate in competitions, but to train a generation that can lead in basic sciences and modern technologies. He noted that success at the FenTech 2026 festival is the result of months of round-the-clock efforts by students and the teaching staff [1].

Emre Yüksel, the Science and Technology Coordinator, also pointed to the synergy between Turkish and international students, stating: 'We witnessed a unique collaboration that led to winning four different titles in this tournament.' Students such as 'Mehdi Mahmoudi' and 'Mevlüt Hakan Elmas,' who were key members of the championship teams, spoke in their interviews about the pride resulting from raising the name of their school and city at the national level [2].

Future Outlook for Robotics in Sivas

This victory is not just a passing success, but part of a larger strategy for the city of Sivas to become one of the technology hubs in Turkey. Previously, in March 2026, students from Sivas Selçuk High School showed similar brilliance at the Fibonacci Robotics Olympiad in Istanbul, indicating the continuity of scientific success in this region [3]. With government support and investment in technical and vocational education, these students are expected to play key roles in Turkey's major industrial and technological projects in the near future.