Started sports by coincidence, aiming for a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Para taekwondo athlete Gamze Gürdal, who has been European Champion multiple times and twice World Runner-Up, has set her sights on the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Discovered by her coach, national athlete Gamze Gürdal (29) started getting involved in para taekwondo reluctantly. Competing in many national and international championships every 6 years, Gürdal became European Champion 5 times and World Runner-Up twice. Having also participated in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Gürdal earned the right to compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games starting on August 28 after winning a gold medal at the recent European Championship. Training 6 days a week, the national athlete aims to win the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“I wanted to quit, but I couldn’t” Sharing her journey into sports, national para taekwondo athlete Gamze Gürdal said, “I started sports by coincidence. I started when my coach found me and asked, ‘Would you like to do taekwondo?’ In the beginning, I went so as not to upset my coach and to avoid embarrassment. Then my friends used to tease me, so I continued a little more to avoid their teasing. I wanted to quit, but I couldn’t. Over time, I started to love it. And then I turned it into a professional career.”
“I became 5-time European Champion, 2-time World Runner-Up” Emphasizing her many achievements in 6 years, Gürdal said, “I participated in the Tokyo Paralympic Games. I became 5-time European Champion, 2-time World Runner-Up. Sports brought order to my life. I plan my day, week, and year around it. It made me more disciplined and confident.”
“Just don’t give up and be patient” Offering advice to disabled individuals like herself, Gamze Gürdal said, “I tell disabled individuals who will start sports not to be afraid. I also had some fears when I started. I’m disabled, what if something happens to one of my sides, what if I break my other arm? We overcome these fears over time. We get used to these minor injuries. I think they make me stronger. If they want it and have such a goal, just don’t give up and be patient. My family usually comes to pick me up from the airport or train station when I achieve success at a tournament. We have a small celebration within the family. They say, ‘We were expecting this, we believed in you.’ I see that proud expression from my family.”
“I hope to achieve the gold medal I missed in Tokyo” Expressing her desire to return from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with a gold medal, Gürdal said, “Of course, I want to see myself at the top of the podium. After returning from Tokyo, we immediately resumed our training. We are going through an intense training process. We have been in camp continuously for about 2.5 years. We have practice 6 days a week. I feel well-prepared and in a good position. Before the Paralympic Games, I also became the champion at the last European Championship. I hope to win the gold medal and achieve the gold medal I missed in Tokyo.”