With Türkiye’s ladies punching above their weight on the worldwide stage, Turkish Boxing Federation President Suat Hekimoğlu says it’s time the lads delivered too – and he’s betting on a generational rebuild to make it occur.
Just seven months into the job, Hekimoğlu has already overseen 10 main nationwide occasions and ramped up grassroots improvement, particularly within the under-22 and under-10 classes. But his true mission lies past the native rings: bringing Türkiye its first Olympic males’s boxing medal since Yakup Kılıç’s bronze in 2008.
“That still hurts,” Hekimoğlu advised Anadolu Agency (AA) in an unique interview. “We can’t ignore what the women have achieved – they’re among the best two teams in the world. But from the moment I took this role, I’ve asked myself: how can we replicate that success with the men?”
Long climb again
Hekimoğlu is inserting his hopes within the upcoming World Boxing Championships in Liverpool this September – the debut version organized by World Boxing, now acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee.
“Our athletes have been sparring with the best across joint international camps,” he mentioned. “We’re aiming for the top – in both men’s and women’s divisions. I believe at least three or four of our male boxers can bring home medals.”
He acknowledged the dearth of current success however pointed to a structural overhaul, together with up to date weight courses and intensified camp schedules. “Our young talents need exposure – more bouts, more tournaments, more grind,” he added.
World Boxing eyes Türkiye
Meanwhile, World Boxing itself desires in on Türkiye’s momentum.
Hekimoğlu revealed that World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst is backing Türkiye to host a serious Olympic-qualifying event in 2026.
“I told him, ‘Mr. President, we want one big international tournament here – one that awards Olympic points.’ He immediately said, ‘Of course.’”
With ministry assist anticipated, Hekimoğlu says Türkiye is able to ship on the world stage. “I never fought in the ring, but I know boxing. And more importantly, I know what our youth need to succeed.”
A primary for Turkish women
One of Hekimoğlu’s proudest achievements has come on the grassroots stage – launching Türkiye’s first nationwide women’ championship for boxers as younger as 10.
Held in Tokat, the occasion welcomed 500 athletes and 500 relations to the stands. “It was unprecedented,” he mentioned. “We watched girls who may one day bring Türkiye Olympic gold.”
He’s additionally revived the boys’ “alt minikler” (sub-minis) class, dormant because the pandemic. “These kids are our future. And if that means keeping their parents close during training camps, we’ll make that happen too.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com