In the race for a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, six Turkish boxers have already secured their tickets, giving rise to hope for their performance in the ring.
Busenaz Sürmeneli
The 2024 Paris tour begins in Poland with the national boxing team triumphing at the European Olympics, including Busenaz Sürmeneli, Buse Naz Akro Lu, Hatice Akba, Gizem Zer, Samit Gümüm and Turulkhan Erdmir Rulhan Erdemir) won medals and coveted tickets to the Olympic Games.
As anticipation mounts, the road to Paris will continue with two more key races. The European Qualifiers will be held in Italy from February 29 to March 12, and the World Qualifiers will be held in Thailand from May 23 to June 3.
For Turkish boxers who are still competing for a golden ticket to the 2024 Olympics, these events will be a chance of life and death.
Busenaz Sumenelli is the first Turkish boxer to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Her historic victory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed due to the pandemic, marked a pivotal moment for the Turkish women's sport.
Sumenelli's illustrious career includes two World Championships, one Mediterranean Games and one European Games champion, as well as two European Championships and a bronze medal.
Buse Naz Ak Ro Lu
Booth Naz Chakroglu won silver in Tokyo and she is aiming to turn things around in Paris.
She has had a stellar career, having won the World Championships, European Championships and European Games, so she is still a serious contender in the 51kg category.
Hatice Akba
Another glimmer of hope for Turkey is 22-year-old prodigy Hatis Akmas, who has won gold medals at the European Junior Championships and the European Under-22 Championships.
Having already won gold medals at the 2022 World Championships and the 2022 Mediterranean Games, Akbas arrived in Paris with high ambitions.
Gizem Zer
Gizem Özel is a rising star in the 60kg category, winning a bronze medal at the European Games to qualify for the Olympics for herself. The 22-year-old boxer is ready to make a splash on the Olympic stage.
Samet Gümü
In the men's competition, 22-year-old Samit Gumus broke a 16-year medal drought in Turkish men's boxing at the Olympics. He won a silver medal in the 51kg category at the European Games to qualify for Paris 2024. In addition, Gumus holds a gold medal at the European Under-22 Championships and a bronze medal at the Mediterranean Games.
Tu Rulhan Erdemir
The 24-year-old national boxer has won numerous junior competitions, and his career includes two junior world titles. His journey includes two World Youth Championships, two European Championships, silver medals and gold medals at the 2018 Mediterranean Games.
Despite suffering setbacks due to injury at the European Games, Erdemere's bronze medal paved the way for him to qualify for the 71kg category.
The list of Turkish boxers is impressive, each with a unique story and ambition, and Turkey is looking forward to a thrilling victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics.