History was made by Turkish women Olympians

Turkish sportswomen made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 50 sportswomen along with 58 sportsmen from Turkey joined the Olympics. As Turkish Olympians strived fiercely and crowned with medals, the nation of Turkey ignited with immense happiness, pride and excitement.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics was not the most gender-balanced Games with regards to Turkish participation. 66 women athletes joined along with 48 men at the London Olympics in 2012, which marks a landmark for gender balance in Turkish Olympics history. On the other hand, Tokyo 2020 Olympics was the first one that Turkey received the high record of medals; 13 medals of which 5 of them were from women athletes.

Inspirational sportswomen breaking down gender barriers in Turkey

Merve Çoban is a 28-year-old karate champion who got a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She started karate when she was 9 years old. She has several medals from the world and European championships. “My successes broke the perception of karate being a men’s sport,” she says.

“While I was studying at school, my current trainer enrolled me for a 3 months karate training. I convinced my father and mother for further training. However, my grandfather opposed it as he thought that karate was a men’s sport.”

“I really love my grandfather and I wanted to prove that I can do this. I wanted to honor him with my first European championship medal however he passed away. I paid a visit to his graveyard and showed him my medal. I felt that he was very proud.”

As karate made its debut appearance in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Çoban says that she was very proud to be part of it.

“Family’s support to girls is very important. They should support girl children no matter what sports they want to do and provide a decent education. With the support of my family, sports made me more confident in myself.”

“I have joined the Olympics for the first time in my sports career. I would love every athlete to breathe that air. Even though it was held without the audience, I was very excited,” says Eda Tuğsuz, 24 years old javelin thrower.

Although she has missed the medal with few centimeters, she is proud that she has represented her country Turkey and her sports club Fenerbahçe* in the best way possible.

“Some sports are matched with genders in people’s minds. However, I broke those stereotypes. In Turkish Olympics history, there have been no man who make top five in Olympics in this sports field. I am the first javelin thrower. This proves that sports have no gender,” says Tuğsuz.

Eda Tuğsuz encourages girls and women to do javelin throwing as a sport. “Javelin throwing is not a men’s sports. Do not be afraid. You are talented and you can do this.”

“Fenerbahce Sports Club’s efforts to empower women in all areas of life, in sports and through sports, are very valuable. I hope that it sets an example for all sports clubs to empower women in sports,” says Tuğsuz.

“My boxing career started when my brother broke his arm due to an accident and doctors advised him to do boxing. I was going to the trainings with him and watching. One day the trainer told me to join. That’s how I started to do the boxing,” tells Buse Naz Çakıroğlu, 25 years old athlete who won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

“Success is an important factor to break the gender stereotypes in sports. 5 boxers went to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Three of them were women. People used to ask whether women can do boxing. Now I am getting these questions less and less. We proved that women could do any sports and successful in any sports including boxing,” says Buse Naz Çakıroğlu.

“I think the role of the sports club is quite important. Fenerbahçe Sports Club gives special appearance to female athletes and supports them in every way possible.”

Turkey was represented in women boxing for the first time. “I am very proud that I am one of the pioneers in boxing sports,” says young sportswomen.

*Fenerbahçe Sports Club and HeForShe Movement Partnership

Recognizing the power of sports to change lives, UN Women Turkey is collaborating with sports organizations to empower women and girls and tear down gender barriers and discrimination. In 2018, UN Women Turkey and Fenerbahçe Sports Club joined forces with the support of Tüpraş, one of the companies of Koç Holding, which has been one of the global Impact Champions of HeForShe. HeForShe is a global solidarity movement initiated by UN Women inviting men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women to create a bold, visible, and united force for gender equality.