You’re invited to take part in the National and International Massage championships and Spa Wellness Conference, panel and workshop in Türkiye

27-29 April 2023, Antalya, Türkiye

Nihat Ayçeman – ThinkTree Ambassador

The competition is taking place between April 27 and 29 at Akdeniz University, one of the best campuses in Türkiye and is located in the heart of the city of Antalya, well known as a holiday paradise. The University is well equipped with conference and seminar halls, events area, food and beverage areas and shower facilities. 

This April you can combine a perfect holiday in Türkiye with taking part in an international massage competition and spa and wellness conference in Antalya.

Supported by ThinkTree Hub, World SPA Organisation, Health and Natural Therapies Association and other Massage association, Massage Championships is an international organisation for massage therapists working in the fields of massage, complementary therapies, spa & wellness, sports, health and beauty. It was founded by experts from the world of education, massage profession, business and therapy to recognise and celebrate massage expertise.

For the first time the Massage Championships will be held in Türkiye, together with a Spa and Wellness Conference, discussion panel and workshop programmes.

The organising committee, under the leadership of Nihat Ayçeman, our Ambassador for Türkiye, is working with enthusiasm to make it a great success. Nihat would like to invite ThinkTree Hub members and their friends to be part of the competition.

Why take part in these massage championships?

The aim of the group is to increase the quality of massage in a competitive environment and to make positive contributions to the training of qualified massage therapists who take a lead in their professional and ethical values. Each category can be entered for a cost of just 50 Euros.

All the championships are created along a standard format which aims to help the spread of the competitions in order to develop the level of professionalism in the industry.

What is the organisers’ vision?

“We want to enable participants to learn, discover, experience and develop the latest developments, innovations and trends in professional knowledge and techniques and reach the top of their careers”, says Nihat.

“Through the competition, we aim to improve the image of the massage profession in the society and the perspectives of the professionals towards the profession and contribute to creating a conscious community.”

What are the categories for the competition?

Swedish / Classical Massage

This category is mainly for Classical Swedish massage techniques (classical relaxing western style massage).

Thai Massage

This category is based on Traditional Thai Massage and Thai Yoga massage techniques. Thai Massage will be performed on a floor mat with appropriate clothing (both sides are dressed).

Sports Massage

Those who compete in the sports massage category can use techniques such as Deep Tissue techniques, neuromuscular techniques and stretching techniques, as well as classical sports massage techniques.

Therapeutic / Deep Tissue Massage

This category is considered as deep tissue massage or therapeutic massage. For this, deep tissue, sports massage techniques, trigger points, mobilisation or Swedish Massage technique and other advanced massage techniques, as well as permitted massage tools can be used.

Free Style Massage 

This category will include a rich mix of massage and bodywork skills inspired by Western or Asian (eastern) varieties with your own unique skills.

Free Western Style: It includes a combination of different types of Western massage methods (Classical, sports, mobilisation, instrument massage, bodywork, etc.)

Free Eastern Style: Includes combinations of different Asian massage modalities (Shiatsu, Acupressure, Thai massage, Tui Na, Ayurveda, instrumental reflexology massage, etc.)

Hammam Massage (Turkish Massage)

This massage technique, which comes from the Turkish Hammam Culture, will be in the form of foamy massage in the Hammam environment. Competitors participating in this category can exhibit all the techniques required by the massage in a Hammam environment to be determined by the organisation.

SPA / Wellness Massage

Classical Swedish, hot stone, aromatherapy, holistic massage, beauty and SPA style massage techniques. Medical/Therapeutic or deep tissue massage techniques are not allowed (see category Therapeutic or Medical Massage).

Face Massage

Persons competing in the Facial Massage category can use the application styles that fall within the scope of facial care and facial massage, or participate through a specific technique (Japanese facial massage, Classic facial massage, spa facial, etc.).

Corporate Massage

In order to enter this category, it is necessary to have a centre, salon, SPA or product company. At least 3 people from each institution are required to attend. First of all, the participants compete individually, and the corporate competitors who are ranked first will then compete to be the first in the Corporate Massage category. In the corporate competition category, the competitors can exhibit the massage styles (SPA Signature) specific to the centre where they work.

Beginners or Students

This category is for students and amateur massage practitioners who are new to massage. In this category, participants can exhibit any type of massage. Those with a maximum of 1 year of experience can compete in this category.

Main objectives of the competition

To increase professional quality,

To promote vocational training,

To protect professional ethical values,

To increase the motivation of the sector employees,

To increase the awareness of the importance and dignity of massage,

To increase the technical quality of massage with competition,

To introduce the best massage therapists to the national and international community,

To contribute to the increase of qualified massage therapists,

To provide an opportunity for qualified, elite and professional massage therapists to introduce themselves and showcase their skills.

Accommodation and City Transfer

Participants and visitors are responsible for arranging and booking accommodation, flights, and local transportation. The organising committee can help those who request accommodation and transfer services.

Look for the website link on accommodation opportunities and different options in the city.

Good luck!

Contacts
Nihat AYCEMAN 

Founder and Chair

+905325073007
www.massagechampionship.org

info@massagechampionship.org – kayit@massagechampionship.org

instagram.com/massage.champions/ 

facebook.com/groups/masajsampiyonasi 

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION AND CRITERIA

  1. Participants must document that they have a massage certificate during registration.
  2. For beginners and/or students, it is not mandatory to show a certificate, but the student is required to show a student certificate or show enrollment in a course.
  3. Participants apply for the competition by filling in the information requested in the “Registration Form”. Visit the web page for registration (https://www.massagechampionship.org)
  4. Participants can apply to participate in one or two categories based on their massage training and experience.
  5. Participants are required to participate in the competition with uniforms, clothes or sportswear suitable for the massage technique.
  6. Participants are allowed to enter in personal sponsorship attire or any clothing appropriate for the category.
  7. Participants will bring their own materials suitable for the massage category they will compete in. (Towels, sheets, application tools, etc.)
  8. The responsibility of determining the person to be massaged belongs to the participant and this continues until the end of the competition session. The organizing committee will help who cannot obtain the person to be massaged.
  9. For oil massages, the person being massaged should wear underwear and (if a woman) the chest should be covered. Areas that are not worked or massaged should be covered.
  10. There is no gender discrimination in the massage competition, anyone can participate. The participant can massage on the desired gender.
  11. It covers anyone who has completed a massage training for the competition or has a massage certificate or works in the field (massage therapists, physiotherapists, health workers, beauticians, etc.).
  12. All participants must comply with the specified maximum competition time (60 minutes). The duration of massages such as facial massage is shorter (30 min.). The participant introduces himself in the first 5 minutes and makes preparations.
  13. Massage oil will be provided by the organization. The participant does not have to bring oil. But anyone is free to bring their own special oil.
  14. Chiropractic or osteopathic techniques are not permitted.

COMPETITION JURY (JUDGES)

  1. The judging panels consist of individuals selected from the relevant departments of universities, massage associations and massage-related educational institutions.
  2. All of the judging panels are made up of the participants of the conference or seminar related to the competition.
  3. Judge selection will be based on qualifications, skills, experience and judging capacity for a particular massage category.
  4. The selected judge is assigned to evaluate only the categories appropriate to his qualifications, skills and evaluation experience.
  5. The selected judge will ideally have at least 5 years of experience and have worked in an educational setting. It can be domestic or foreign.
  6. The judges selected will be fair, honest, impartial and have the principle of equality.
  7. A judge cannot judge their own students as they will be considered a party. If the judge becomes aware of such a situation, he or she shall immediately notify the authorities and the contestant in question will be directed to another jury or judge to evaluate the competitor.
  8. Any judge who is determined to be involved in match-fixing, will not be assigned in the next competitions.
  9. For the international competition, at least two judges who meet the judging criteria are invited from abroad.

SCORING AND EVALUATION OF THE COMPETITOR

The judge will evaluate the competitors in the following areas and give points:

Tools and materials: The use of tools and support materials for massage is evaluated.

Techniques: Evaluates the correct display of necessary techniques suitable for the massage category.

Ergonomics: Evaluates correct use of body mechanics, posture and position.

Fluency/Flow: Evaluates the continuous and fluent application of techniques.

Innovative Approach: Evaluates innovation, innovation and the development of new techniques

Client/recipient communication: Ethical ethics with the therapist’s client/guest were evaluated within the framework of human relations and behaviour.

Overall Performance: The integrity of the massage and the overall performance of the therapist are evaluated.

In order for the scoring to be as fair and impartial as possible, all decisions regarding scoring will be taken collectively within the Jury of the relevant category.

The top three competitors of each category will be decided. Certificates, medals and various surprise gifts will be given to the winners.