Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Cerebral Palsy athlete Sinem Gökten suffered an unfortunate injury before the Turkish Boccia Championship. Despite the comminuted fracture in her foot, Sinem did not lose her determination to participate in the competitions and competed in the championship in Kocaeli with special permission from her doctor. Sweating on the field with her broken foot in the BC2 Women’s category, the 32-year-old athlete achieved an incredible success and won the bronze medal.
He Took the Field Despite Injury and Embraced the Medal
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Disabled Studies Department boccia team represented Izmir in the Turkey Boccia Championship held in Kocaeli between April 6-11. Sinem Gökten, one of the successful athletes of the team, showed great desire to participate in the competition despite the foot fracture she suffered before the championship. Sinem, who took to the field with special permission from her doctor, fought regardless of the pain of her broken foot and became a symbol of determination and success by winning the bronze medal in the BC2 Women's category.
Sinem: “I Didn’t Give Up, I Won’t Give Up”
Sinem Gökten, who was happy with her medal, said that her goal was to be first but it did not happen due to the injury she experienced. “My goal was to be first but it did not happen. God willing, I will be in the next championship. I was in a lot of pain during the competition but I tried to succeed and I did. I never gave up, I will not give up,” she said, expressing her determination.
Proud Mother: “He Didn’t Want to Leave My Friends Alone”
Mother Nuran Gökten, who was with her daughter both in her training and competitions, expressed her happiness that Sinem started boccia. “It is a good thing that we started this sport. May God bless our teachers, we have come to great places. We have won second and third place medals in the Turkish Boccia Championships held in previous years. We came third this year,” she said. Stating that her daughter did not want to leave her friends alone despite the fracture she had before the championship, mother Gökten said that they participated in the competition with the doctor’s approval and were successful. She expressed that Sinem will regain her health after the surgery and that she believes she will achieve greater success in the future.
Invitation to Sports from the Metropolitan Municipality to Disabled Citizens
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Disabled Studies Branch Manager Tufan Fırat Göksel also came together with the boccia team during training and congratulated Sinem and the entire team. Göksel said, “As the boccia group, we came third in the individual tournament we participated in representing Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. Our friend Sinem also participated in the tournament with a broken leg. We thank her for her determination. As Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, we attach great importance to these efforts that strengthen solidarity. We invite all our adult friends with spinal cord paralysis, cerebral palsy, and wheelchair users to our efforts. Here, we share togetherness and solidarity through sports.”
10 Athletes from Izmir Participated
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Disabled Studies Department boccia team participated in the Turkish Boccia Championship with 10 athletes. In addition to Sinem Gökten's individual success in the BC2 Women's category, the team's overall performance was also appreciated. The athletes, who continue their training without interruption with Boccia Coach Feride İnce, are promising for future championships. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club President Ertuğrul Tugay also attended the training and congratulated the athletes and wished them continued success. The bronze medal that Sinem Gökten won despite these difficult conditions was an inspiring example of the determination and perseverance of disabled athletes, not only for Izmir but for all of Turkey.
