Türkiye’s athletes, shining stars in the international sports arena, not only excel in their respective fields but also represent our country in the best possible way. Their success stories, determination, and inspiring journeys make them not just athletes, but role models as well.
These athletes have shown remarkable perseverance through years of disciplined training and have never given up, despite the challenges they faced. Their medals, record-breaking performances, and achievements on international platforms showcase Türkiye’s strength and potential in sports. Each one of them is making history in their field while inspiring younger generations.
Many of our athletes continue to make headlines around the world by representing Türkiye successfully in international competitions. Their stories are not just about their sporting achievements, but also about their resilience, mental strength, and determination in overcoming obstacles. Each of them remains a source of pride for Türkiye.
The challenges they faced on their path to success and their unwavering commitment show that these stories are not just about sports but about life itself. Their determination is proof of Türkiye’s potential to achieve even greater success in the world of sports in the future.
Sumeyye Boyaci: The champion defying barriers in swimming
Early life and swimming beginnings
Sumeyye Boyaci, our national swimmer who holds onto life with her “invisible wings” and achieved numerous successes by saying “Fish don’t have arms either.” Born in Eskisehir in 2003, Boyaci, despite being born without arms, started drawing with her toes at the age of four. She learned to swim in a very short time at the age of five and has never stopped swimming since then.
National and international successes
By 2013, Boyaci won first place in all national competitions she participated in and earned the title of national athlete in 2016. This achievement allowed her to compete abroad and win many medals.
Historic achievements and honors
In 2018, Boyaci made history by winning a gold medal in the S5 category of the 50-meter backstroke at the Paralympic European Championships held in Ireland, becoming the first female European Champion in swimming in the Republic’s history. Shortly after, she made another breakthrough by becoming the world runner-up at the World Championships.
Recognition and continuing excellence
In 2020, at an event organized by the Barbie Museum in the U.S., she was honored as one of the “Inspiring Women of the Year,” and a Barbie doll was made in her likeness and displayed at the museum. In 2022, Boyaci became the world champion again in the 50-meter backstroke S5 category at the Paralympic Swimming World Championships held in Portugal with an impressive time of 41.58 seconds.
Merve Dincel: The tenacious taekwondo champion pushing boundaries
Early career and initial medals
Merve Dincel, who has showcased the power of Turkish women to the world, is also known as the “Tiger of the Rings.” Born in 1999, Dincel has been involved in taekwondo for about 15 years. Starting with the support of her family, Dincel has numerous medals.
European and world achievements
She won her first award in 2007 and claimed the gold medal at the 2022 European Taekwondo Championships. In 2023, Dincel won the gold medal in the women’s 49 kg category at the World Taekwondo Championships held in Azerbaijan, becoming the World Champion. Determined to add more achievements to her list, Dincel aims to win a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Buse Naz Cakiroglu: A new boxer in the ring
Transition from soccer to boxing
Buse Naz Cakiroglu proved that boxing is not just a men’s sport. Born in Trabzon in 1996, Cakiroglu spent her childhood playing soccer in the streets with her brother and found herself boxing with men due to her strength compared to her peers. Under the guidance of her coach, she joined the Fenerbahce Sports Club and started making headlines with the medals she collected.
Notable victories and world recognition
At the EUBC Women’s European Championships held in Madrid, she became the champion in the 51 kg weight class and was named the best female boxer of the championship. In 2021, Cakiroglu earned the right to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first female boxer from Türkiye to qualify for the Olympics. In the 2022 Women’s World Boxing Championships, she won the gold medal in the 50 kg category, becoming the World Champion.
European championship and historical wins
Cakiroglu, who has won the European Championship three times consecutively, cemented her place in history by defeating her Russian opponent without losing a round at the European Boxing Championships held in Serbia.
Arda Guler: The shining star of the football world
A talent shining in the world of football
Arda Guler has become one of the most prominent names in Turkish football in recent years. Despite his young age, his performance and skills have earned him great recognition. Born on February 25, 2005, in Ankara, Arda started his football career in the Genclerbirligi youth academy. Often referred to as the “future of Turkish football,” Arda is known for his playmaking abilities and technical skills, especially in the attacking line.
His rise at Fenerbahce
One of the biggest milestones in Arda Guler’s career was his transfer to Fenerbahce in 2019. Although still young, he got the chance to play in important matches for Fenerbahce’s first team and quickly became a fan favorite. As a midfielder, Arda drew attention with his leadership qualities on the field and his high football IQ.
National team career
Thanks to his talents, Arda Guler was also selected for the Turkish National Team. His impressive performances in the youth categories paved the way for his promotion to the senior national team. Arda has proven his potential through his games with the national team and is on the path to becoming one of the key representatives of Turkish football on the international stage.
Technical skills and playing style
Arda Guler’s playing style fits well with the demands of modern football. Playing as an offensive midfielder, Arda is known for his quick and smart moves with the ball. His passing ability and vision allow him to create many goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. Additionally, Arda can contribute individually to the score with his proficiency in free kicks and his ability to shoot from long distances.
Naim Suleymanoglu: A legendary rise in weightlifting
Early achievements in weightlifting
Naim Suleymanoglu, known as “The Pocket Hercules,” broke numerous challenging records and etched his name in sports history. Born in Bulgaria in 1967, Suleymanoglu started weightlifting at the age of nine and became the Youth and Junior Champion in Bulgaria at 14.
Record-breaking career
He gained recognition by setting the youngest World Record at 15. Throughout his career, he achieved three Olympic Championships, seven World and European Championships, and a total of 46 world records. Suleymanoglu, who appeared on the cover of Time magazine in October 1988, passed away at the age of 50 due to liver failure, but remains one of the legendary athletes of all time.
Ayse Begum Onbasi: Exceptional success in aerobic gymnastics
Early beginnings and first major successe
Ayse Begum Onbasi is a “medal monster” in aerobic gymnastics. At 23, she has won over 60 medals and awards, becoming one of the most famous Turkish athletes. Born in Manisa in 2001, Onbasi has been involved in sports since the age of three.
Historic world championship win
She started gymnastics at the age of eight under the guidance of her ballet coach. In 2021, she won the World Championship in Aerobic Gymnastics in the Women’s Category in Baku, becoming the first Turkish athlete to win a medal in aerobic gymnastics at the senior level. Onbasi is expected to continue her impressive career with many more awards to come.
Mehmet Okur: An international impact on basketball
Early basketball career and initial success
Mehmet Okur, one of the legends of Turkish basketball, has achieved 1 NBA Championship, 3 Turkish Championships, 4 Turkish Cups, and 2 Presidential Cups. Born in Yalova in 1979, Okur initially started in football before switching to basketball at the age of 14. With his tall stature and talent in basketball, he quickly made a name for himself.
NBA glory and legacy
Okur began his career with Oyak Renault at 18, continuing with Tofas and Anadolu Efes. His outstanding performance earned him a place with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA draft of 2001. When the Pistons won the NBA Championship that year, Mehmet Okur became the first and only Turkish player to win an NBA Championship.
Post-retirement contributions
He was also selected for the All-Star team in 2007, becoming the first Turkish player to achieve this. After retiring from active play, Okur transitioned to player development coaching in the NBA, leaving an indelible mark on Turkish basketball.
Yasemin Dalkilic: Star of freediving athletes
Early freediving career and records
Yasemin Dalkilic, a world underwater diving record holder, began her journey with swimming and free diving at a young age. Born in Ankara in 1979, Dalkilic started her sports career by obtaining her license at the age of 10 and joined the National Team in Pallet Swimming at 14. Known as the “Princess of the Depths,” she set a world record by diving 68 meters in 1999.
Record-breaking feats
She then set two more records in 2000 by reaching 100 and 120 meters in the Limited and Unlimited Variable Weight categories, respectively. With a total of 9 World Free Diving records, Yasemin Dalkilic is akin to a mermaid living underwater.
Sureyya Ayhan: Outstanding performance in athletics
Early career and achievements
Sureyya Ayhan is the most famous Turkish female athlete in history and is also the first female athlete to have a statue erected in her honor due to her achievements. Born in Cankiri in 1978, Ayhan, supported by her father and elementary school sports teacher, began to excel in athletics. In 2002, she made history by becoming the European Champion in the 1500 meter race at the Munich European Championships, the first Turkish athlete to achieve this.
Historic medals and legacy
In 2003, she won second place in the World Championships, becoming the first athlete from Türkiye to return with a medal from a World Championship. Known as the “Wind Girl,” Sureyya Ayhan gained great fame and continued her career as a physical education teacher after a doping case. She now supports and guides young athletes in athletics.
Semih Sayginer: Exceptional talent in billiards
Early career and national success
Semih Sayginer is a globally renowned name in billiards, known for bringing numerous championships to Türkiye. Having played billiards since the age of seven, Sayginer was born in Istanbul in 1959. He participated in many national and international tournaments, achieving significant success.
In 1981, he won the Istanbul Championship, followed by the Türkiye Championship in 1987, and a total of 7 World Championships, etching his name in the history of billiards. Known internationally as “Mr. Magic” and “Turkish Prince,” Sayginer introduced 42 special shot techniques known as “Semih Sayginer Magic Shots” to billiards literature. He is celebrated in Türkiye as the “Einstein of Billiards” for his profound geometric understanding of the game.
Bonus #1: Cedi Osman’s journey from Ohrid to the NBA
Early years and background
Cedi Osman was born on April 8, 1995, in Ohrid, Macedonia, and is a Turkish professional basketball player. He plays the small forward position and currently plays for the NBA team San Antonio Spurs.
Formative years
Cedi Osman was born to a Turkish father and a Bosnian mother. The family moved to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1999, where Cedi began playing basketball. As an active child, Cedi was registered with KK Bosna at the age of six. While playing basketball in Sarajevo, he was discovered by scouts from Anadolu Efes and moved with his family to Istanbul at the age of thirteen. After relocating to Türkiye, he acquired Turkish citizenship and joined the Anadolu Efes youth team in 2007. During this time, he played for various youth teams and achieved success, including winning the Turkish Youth Men’s Basketball Championship in 2010 and participating in the Jordan Brand Classic International Game with the World Team in 2011.
Professional career
Pertevniyal
Cedi Osman began his professional career in 2011 with Pertevniyal, the affiliate team of Anadolu Efes. He made his official debut on October 8, 2011, scoring 11 points. During the 2012-13 season, he played 30 games, averaging 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
Anadolu Efes
Towards the end of the 2012-13 season, Cedi signed a 4+1 year contract with Anadolu Efes. He made his debut with Anadolu Efes on May 4, 2013, in a game against Gaziantep Basketball. In the 2013-14 season, he played 13 games in the EuroLeague and was named the “Best Young Player of the Year” by the Turkish Basketball Federation. He delivered strong performances in the EuroLeague and the Turkish Basketball Super League during the 2014-15 season. Additionally, he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA Draft, but his rights were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cedi signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017. During his rookie NBA season, he played limited minutes but gained playoff experience. In the 2018-19 season, he showcased his best performance in the NBA, playing 76 games and averaging 13 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He played a significant role for the Cavaliers in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
Bonus #2: Ebrar Karakurt, a rising star in Turkish volleyball
Ebrar Karakurt, born in 1999, shines as a top Turkish volleyball player. She began her volleyball career at a young age and quickly achieved significant success.
Career beginnings and development
Karakurt started her volleyball journey early and honed her skills while playing for various Turkish clubs. Her impressive game skills and technical abilities set her apart, leading to notable achievements both in Türkiye and internationally.
Achievements and international contributions
Karakurt has earned numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to Turkish volleyball. Her performance and playing style have gained recognition worldwide. By representing Türkiye in international tournaments and championships, she has played a key role in the country’s volleyball success.
Personal life and societal impact
Outside of her on-court achievements, Karakurt inspires young athletes and promotes volleyball. Her personal life and activities have made a positive impact on society.
Future plans and goals
Karakurt looks forward to achieving even greater success in her volleyball career. She continues to capture the attention of volleyball enthusiasts as she pursues further accomplishments on both national and international stages.
Türkiye’s pride: Athletes who shine on the global stage
These remarkable Turkish athletes have not only showcased their exceptional skills on national and international stages but have also become sources of inspiration and pride for Türkiye. From the pool to the ring, from the track to the field, their dedication, perseverance, and accomplishments demonstrate the diverse talents and strengths that Turkish athletes possess.
Sumeyye Boyaci’s triumphs in swimming despite her physical challenges, Merve Dincel’s groundbreaking achievements in taekwondo, and Buse Naz Cakiroglu’s notable successes in boxing are just a few examples of how determination can lead to greatness. Similarly, Hamit Altintop’s football legacy, Naim Suleymanoglu’s record-breaking feats in weightlifting, and Ayse Begum Onbasi’s excellence in aerobic gymnastics highlight the high standards set by Turkish sportsmen and women.
The achievements of Mehmet Okur in basketball, Yasemin Dalkilic in free diving, and Sureyya Ayhan in athletics further illustrate the significant impact of Turkish athletes across various disciplines. Semih Sayginer’s mastery in billiards and Riza Kayaalp’s dominance in wrestling complete this impressive roster of Turkish sports legends.
