Young Turkish swimmer Tuncel breaks international records
Turkish swimmer Merve Tuncel won the gold medal in the 1500-meter freestyle at the World Junior Swimming Championships in Lina, Peru, September 4, 2022. (AA Photo)
Merve Tuncel, a name gaining recognition in international swimming, continues to make impressive strides.
Born in Ankara in 2005, Tuncel is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Turkish swimming.
Who is Merve Tuncel?
Tuncel’s journey began in 2020 when she set a world junior record in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Türkiye Arena Short Course Championships in Istanbul.
The following year, she clinched three gold medals at the European Junior Championships in Rome, breaking records in the 800 and 1,500-meter freestyle events.
These achievements earned her a spot in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. At the opening ceremony, she proudly carried the Turkish flag. “This was an incredible experience,” Tuncel said, reflecting on her participation at just 16 years old.
Tuncel’s continued success, record-breaking performances
In 2022, Tuncel secured a bronze medal in the 800-meter freestyle at the European Championships.
She also excelled at the World Junior Championships, winning gold in the 400, 800, and 1,500-meter freestyle events. At the Mediterranean Games that year, she added one gold and two bronze medals to her collection.
Tuncel holds national records in the 400, 800 and 1,500-meter freestyle categories for both short and long courses in Türkiye. In 2023, she competed in the Giant Open in France, winning silver medals in the 400, 800, and 1,500-meter freestyle events.
Turkish swimmer Tuncel’s future aspirations
Currently, Tuncel competes as part of the University of Louisville swim team in the United States. In June, she placed sixth in the 800-meter freestyle at the European Aquatics Championships in Serbia, demonstrating her continuous improvement and dedication.
Tuncel aimed to qualify for her second Olympic appearance in Paris 2024 by competing in the Turkish Long Course National Team Selections in Edirne from May 2-4, 2024.
Despite her intensive training and previous performances, her qualification for the Paris Olympics has not been confirmed yet.
