Turkish Muay Thai world champion eyes 3rd title in 2019

By Zafer Goder

BOLU, Turkey

Turkish muay thai world champion Ceren Yilmaz carries on exercises to claim the same title for the third time in 2019.

The brother Batuhan Yilmaz, 16, was a role model for his 14-years-old sister to take up the martial art, she told Anadolu Agency in northwestern Bolu province.

Yilmaz’s journey in muay thai started in 2015 after enrolling for a training provided by the local municipality.

She claimed the world champion title in 2017 and 2018.

Attributing her success to dedication in uninterrupted exercise, Yilmaz underlined the “intensive training” for one month in Thailand prior to her world championships.

“After this, I want to participate once more in the world championship and become champion again,” she said.

Praising the efforts of her coach Ertan Akdogan, Yilmaz said: “My coach believed in me, and I believed in myself.”

Aside from her global successes, Ceren also holds two European championships, as well as local grand prizes.

The brother Yilmaz, for his part, said he does his best to raise his sister as a successful muay thai athlete.