Turkish swimmer with no legs, arm sets sights on national team

ORDU, Türkiye

Beyza Nur Sezgin is aiming for new heights by joining the Turkish National Swimming Team despite having no legs and a left arm.

Sezgin, 24, who won a silver and bronze at the Para Swimming Turkey Championship in Konya in December, is on track to achieve her goals.

"After I started swimming, I gained self-confidence. I saw what I could achieve in this life," Sezgin told Anadolu. "Thanks to this sport, I learned what I can do with perseverance. I had concerns about the future before. Now, I think I am an example with my determination. I am very, very happy the way I am."

Sezgin has amassed 13 swimming medals but said her biggest goal is to join the national team. "I see many successful disabled swimmers in Türkiye. Like them, I want to represent my country in domestic and international organizations," she said.

Her mother, Hatice Sezgin said her daughter was born with a disability but when she looks at Beyza Nur she does not see obstacles.

"I can say that my daughter almost came to her senses thanks to swimming. Her self-confidence has returned. Currently, Beyza Nur wants to achieve everything by her own means. I never see my daughter as a disabled person."

"Even during the COVID-19 epidemic, we did not leave our athlete alone. We did our best to keep her working," said Sezgin's trainer, Onur Ozkan. "She is already a very determined and hard-working athlete. She really wants to achieve her goals. We trust her completely."

*Writing by Selcuk Bugra Gokalp