From feeling depressed to being one of the best

After I was diagnosed with CRPS I fell into a depression. Until I discovered wheelchair fencing in November 2012! Due to this sport my energy level boosted and I allowed myself to be happy again. Together with a team of specialists I started training 6 times a week at several locations to develop my skills. With result. In 2018 I got the World Champion U17 in the weapon foil.
 
In 2014 I started participating in the adult category of international wheelchair fencing. My results so far are a 8th place at the European Championships in 2018 (Epee) and a 7th place at the World Cup in  2017 (Foil).

The road to the 2020 Paralympics

Because my grandfather is Turkish I was born with both Dutch and Turkish nationality. When Turkey approached me in 2016 to play for their national team I immediately said yes. I’ve always had the dream to play at the Paralympics. The Turkish Sports Federation for the Physically Disabled (TBESF) and my Turkish club Nilufer Belediyespor are able to give me extra support on several levels. Which means I’m one step closer to the 2020 Paralympics and now have access to a whole team of professionals. My two coaches Mathijs Rohlfs (from Schermcentrum Amsterdam) and Roel Verwijlen (from Schermclub Den Bosch), mental coach Paul Hoogers, orthopedic instrument maker Frank Jol and personal trainer Harmen Bakker and physiotherapist Lotte Koops (both from Fysiomed Amsterdam). But it also means I have to step up my game. Therefore I’m training six days a week. Sometimes I went to Turkey to train with my Turkish coach Rumen Kamadziev and Yusuf Sahin.

Although I’m now playing for the Turkish National Team it is still my goal to put wheelchair fencing on the map in the Netherlands. I still do a lot of demonstrations at rehabilitation centers and during events. Also, I’m still a proud member of the KNAS (Royal Dutch Association for Fencers).