Turkish swimmer Ebrar Bilge wins gold in Para Swimming World Series
15-year-old Turkish swimmer Ebrar Bilge proudly holds her gold medal diploma after winning first place in the 50m backstroke (youth category) at the 2025 Para Swimming World Series in Lignano Sabbiodoro, Italy, Mar. 14, 2025. (Photo via X / @TYFgovtr)
Ebrar Bilge, a 15-year-old high school student from Gaziantep, won a gold medal at the 2025 Para Swimming World Series in Italy.
The international event took place in Lignano Sabbiodoro from March 10 to 17 and featured 315 athletes from 36 countries.
Competing in the “Young Women’s 50 meters Backstroke” category, Ebrar secured first place with a time of 1 minute and 46 seconds. She lowered her previous best of 2 minutes, 3 seconds and finished ahead of more experienced swimmers in her category.
Ebrar, who was born without legs because of a congenital condition, only began swimming two years ago. Until then, she had been afraid of water and had never entered a pool.
Her journey into sports began in middle school. One day after school, she crossed paths with Mehmet Ali Albas, the head of the Para Swimming Technical Committee at the Turkish Swimming Federation.
He approached her and asked: “Would you like to learn how to swim?” That simple question changed her life.
Albas began coaching her after receiving approval from Ebrar’s family. Within a year, she overcame her fear of water, learned how to swim, and went on to win the national team selection trials in Istanbul.
“I didn’t know how to swim, and I was even scared of water,” said Ebrar. “My coach always encouraged me. That helped me believe in myself, and I did everything I could to succeed.”
Ebrar described the competition in Italy as intense and emotional. “I was so nervous that I could hardly eat or drink. But I told myself, ‘You came all the way here. You won’t return without achieving something,” she said.
Her success has inspired her school and community. Mustafa Yildirim, the principal of Inci Konukoglu Anatolian High School, said, “Ebrar consistently scores high marks in school exams and has now made us proud with this sporting achievement. We believe she will go on to achieve much more.”
Her coach, Mehmet Ali Albas, also praised her determination. “Ebrar competed against older and more experienced swimmers, but she brought home the gold. We plan to compete in the World Championships in Singapore this September and aim for another medal,” he said.
Her coach went on to add that “Many young people in Türkiye could achieve similar success if given a chance. Children should not lock themselves in at home. They should go out and explore their potential.”
Ebrar plans to continue her career in swimming and hopes to represent Türkiye in more international competitions. “When I swim, I forget everything else. I just let myself go in the water,” she said.
