Turkish archery team’s historic Olympics win, Mete Gazoz’s secret

The Turkish archery team, comprising Mete Gazoz, Ulas Berkim Tumer and Muhammed Abdullah Yildirmis, celebrated a historic bronze medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

This achievement marks the first time in 100 years that Türkiye has won a team medal in the Olympics.

‘Winning Olympic medal no longer distant dream’

The event took place at Les Invalides, where the team triumphed over China to secure third place.

Coach Goktug Ergin emphasized the importance of the rigorous three-year preparation that led to this success.

“After Mete Gazoz’s gold medal, winning an Olympic medal is no longer a distant dream for us,” Ergin said. “We’ve become a team that believes in increasing our medal count with the right preparation. The past three years have shown our hard work.”

Reflecting on the competition, Ergin noted the unexpected difficulties faced in the match against Colombia, which proved tougher than anticipated and the relatively easier win over India.

“The close loss to France and the decisive victory against China demonstrated our team’s resilience and determination,” he added.

Mete Gazoz’s secret to success: Intense training

Mete Gazoz, who played a crucial role in the team’s performance, emphasized the significance of their training. “We approached each match step by step, aiming for the podium.

The rigorous training sessions, where our heart rates soared, prepared us for this moment. This medal was earned not just today but through countless training sessions,” Gazoz explained.

Gazoz also discussed the team’s goal of reaching the podium and the confidence they had in their preparation. “We had a clear target when we arrived. Even though we faced tough matches, especially against France, our focus never wavered. We started strong and hope to build on this momentum,” he said.

Archer Ulas Berkim Tumer’s first Olympic experience

Ulas Berkim Tumer, experiencing his first Olympics, shared his excitement and the sense of responsibility within the team.

“It was a very exciting day. Mete helped keep us calm. We all did our part. This is a team effort, and everyone contributed to this success. Winning a medal in my first Olympics is indescribable,” Tumer said.

Muhammed Abdullah Yildirmis also highlighted the importance of teamwork and the unique atmosphere of the competition.

“Competing in such an environment for the first time was an experience. We didn’t feel much pressure from the crowd, but the size of the audience was a new challenge. Our loss to France was just bad luck,” Yildirmis noted.

Drama at Archery bronze medal ceremony in Paris 2024

The bronze medal ceremony was not without its own drama, as the Turkish flag was mistakenly raised higher than France’s, who won the silver medal.

Despite this, the ceremony was a proud moment for the team, as they were congratulated by Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak.

This victory is a significant milestone for Turkish archery and promises a bright future for the sport in Türkiye.

The team’s success at Paris 2024 sets a new standard and inspires confidence for future competitions.