The Turkish Boxing Federation is poised for a transformative phase, with President Eyüp Gözgeç articulating a forward-looking vision aimed at Olympic success. During a recent press conference in Ankara, which convened the Federation’s board and national boxers who are set to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mr. Gözgeç provided insights into the Federation’s strategy moving forward, emphasizing that discussions are ongoing to ensure inclusive and comprehensive decision-making, stating, “Our journey is far from over. We will consult with our team and partners to ensure no one is left behind.”

Reflecting on Türkiye’s performance in recent Olympic competitions, Mr. Gözgeç highlighted that the boxing team secured three silver and five bronze medals, positioning the nation at 64th overall in the medal table. He noted the significance of these achievements, saying, “The two silver and one bronze medals in boxing constituted half of Türkiye’s total medal count. Without these medals, our rank would have significantly fallen to approximately 100th place. In the realm of boxing, we achieved a commendable 4th place alongside France.”

In terms of representation, Mr. Gözgeç revealed that Türkiye qualified seven boxers for the upcoming Games, consisting of two men and five women. Initially, the team was set to include eight participants; however, one boxer was disqualified due to precautionary measures linked to a painkiller controversy shortly before the competition commenced. Despite this setback, the remaining athletes displayed impressive prowess but were met with unfortunate match draws.

An additional focal point of Mr. Gözgeç’s address was the European Qualifiers, which Türkiye was slated to host. The projected costs for this event were approximately $1.5 million, prompting the Federation to devise a plan to alleviate financial burden through athlete contributions and sponsorship arrangements. Mr. Gözgeç detailed the proposal, stating, “I suggested covering $700,000-800,000 through participant fees and accommodations, with the remainder sourced from sponsorships. This would relieve the ministry of an estimated $400,000-500,000 expense. The minister expressed support for this plan; however, it was later communicated that the event would not proceed as intended, causing us to forfeit the home-field advantage experienced by France.”

When queried about future initiatives, Mr. Gözgeç remained deliberately vague, reiterating the importance of long-term objectives and the necessity of collaborating with stakeholders to navigate the path ahead.

Prominent boxer Buse Naz Çakıroğlu, a silver medalist for two consecutive Olympic cycles, articulated a strong commitment to elevating Turkish boxing, declaring, “We aim to take Turkish and women’s boxing to unparalleled heights. Our unwavering focus is on securing gold medals, and any deviation from this goal brings disappointment. I aspire to excel further at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.”

Echoing this sentiment, fellow medalist Hatice Akbaş emphasized the collective achievements of the team, expressing heartfelt gratitude to her teammates, declaring, “Our successes in women’s boxing exemplify Türkiye’s strength, and I am immensely thankful to my fellow athletes for their invaluable contributions.”

In summary, the Turkish Boxing Federation stands at a pivotal juncture, guided by a clear vision for future Olympic endeavors as they aim to build on past successes and lay a strong foundation for the next generation of athletes.

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