Supporting sports for more than a quarter of a century and taking a pioneering role in the field of sports sponsorships in Turkey, Vestel held the launch of a documentary chronicling the unique journey of ultra-marathon swimmer Aysu Türkoğlu. Shot specially for the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, the documentary 'AYSU' tells a success story dedicated to the water with perseverance and passion, starting from Bodrum.
As one of the most important supporters of Turkish sports, Vestel introduced the documentary—which focuses on the extraordinary career journey of ultra-marathon swimmer Aysu Türkoğlu, who represents Turkey in the international arena—to the public with a launch event. Journalists and famous names from the world of sports and society attended the launch held at Zorlu PSM on the evening of Monday, May 18.
At the launch, Vestel Global Marketing, Domestic Sales and Customer Service General Manager Duygu Badem Uylukçuoğlu stated that Aysu Türkoğlu's story perfectly coincides with the spirit of May 19, saying:
"The spirit of independence and courage carried by the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day continues to live on in the perseverance and dreams of our youth today. Supporting the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's trust in youth and his ideal of a 'smart, agile, and moral athlete' is an indicator of the responsibility we, as Vestel, carry towards society, youth, and the future.
As a brand that accepts sports as a fundamental part of social development, we have endless faith in the unifying and healing power of this ecosystem. Therefore, we have been a brand identified with sports for many years, not just supporting it, but living with it. We believe that sports are a very powerful tool that gives courage to young people, encourages them to push boundaries, and creates a positive impact on society. From this perspective, every athlete and every branch we support also represents a partnership of values for us. Our motto, 'Vestel is at the heart of sports, and sports are at the heart of Vestel,' is a reality born from life, far beyond a marketing slogan. At the point we have reached today, we are a leading part of the sports ecosystem in a very wide range from volleyball to swimming, and from archery to gymnastics.
Exactly in this context, Aysu Türkoğlu perfectly aligns with Vestel's vision of supporting the potential of youth with her discipline, determination, and passion for achieving her goals. We see this meaningful companionship, which goes beyond traditional sponsorship, as a concrete indicator of our belief in Turkish youth. The documentary we have brought to life retells the unique spirit of May 19 with today's language and reveals how the human will can transcend its limits. I am proud to crown this inspiring work with the enthusiasm of May 19; I wish her endless success, stating that the heart of the entire Vestel family will beat with dear Aysu during her upcoming crossing of the Tsugaru Strait in Japan."
Speaking about the documentary, Aysu Türkoğlu said:
"There is a never-ending passion inside me that keeps me going. And I can only experience this passion when I am alone in the sea, amidst the endless blue. It brings me a distinct pride to bring the spirit of the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day together with such a meaningful project. As a young person raised in these lands, I believe the documentary will inspire our youth to forge their own paths."
With this project, while making her sports story visible, Vestel aims to be part of a narrative that supports the potential of youth, inspires, and strengthens the culture of sustainable success.
A story that meets the spirit of May 19
The documentary, which focuses on the extraordinary career journey of ultra-marathon swimmer Aysu Türkoğlu, offers a multi-layered narrative centering on human will, discipline, and the motivation to push boundaries, rather than just a sports story. The journey, which started in Bodrum and extends to the world's most challenging channel crossings, brings her experiences on the way to the 'Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming' title and the Tsugaru Strait course—the sixth leg of the Ocean’s Seven—to the audience through a cinematographic edit.
Having successfully completed the English Channel, Manhattan 20 Bridges, North Channel, Cook Strait, Catalina Channel, and Kaiwi Channel crossings to date, Türkoğlu became the youngest Turkish swimmer to earn the 'Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming' title with her Catalina Channel crossing in 2024. In 2025, she also earned the title of the youngest Turkish athlete to swim across the Kaiwi Channel in Hawaii, completing it in 21 hours and 22 minutes.
AYSU – A Life Dedicated to Water Documentary Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhzCWq3eMJ8
