Sümeyye Boyacı; He became the name of hope with the medals he pulled out of the pool with his determination, despite his unnatural arms. The Paralympic athlete brought European and world championships to Turkey with the sport of swimming, which he learned at the age of 5. While revealing that there is no excuse for success in life, it was made into a documentary to serve as an example to everyone they fit into their 20-year life. The national athlete made special statements to Sabah.
While the 4-part film titled ‘Kulvar’, shot with the contributions of Allianz Turkey, was presented to the audience on YouTube, the magnitude of Sümeyye’s success story was once again revealed. We start our questions by asking the successful athlete, “What do you think is the best part of the documentary?” and we get the answer, “The most valuable part is the part where the people who worked for me and accompanied me on this path tell me about me. I am honored.”
‘So will there be a sequel?’ When we say this, he reveals his competitive and assertive identity once again:
“The documentary is just a trailer of my life. I want to achieve much greater success soon and write a bigger story.”
“REAL SUCCESS IS NOT GIVING UP”
Sumeyye, who missed the medal by placing 4th at the Tokyo Olympics, earned the right to compete in Paris 2024. His goal is to wear the Olympic medal, the missing piece in the collection, around his neck to write his big story. But his success criteria are now very different:
“One of the biggest mistakes of Turkish athletes is that when you do not get a medal, you are considered a failure. Turkish athletes approach the situation emotionally. I broke this when I was in Tokyo (Olympics). I came in 4th place, I went to the toilet, I tried to cry, it didn’t work, I tried hard but it didn’t work. I realized that everything is new.” “The real success is what happens between losing and winning. Returning to training without giving up and doing your job with the same love, that’s success.”
“TOO MUCH WATERMELON IN ONE SEAT”
The determined girl of the pool is one of those who can fit a lot of watermelons in one seat. In addition to being a successful swimmer, she successfully combines sports and education. She is studying International Relations at Koç University. He has been interested in oil painting, painting and marbling art since his childhood. ‘Will there be an exhibition one day?’ The answer to the question;
“If there is a race, it can happen. Like the best marbling or oil painting race (laughs). I love art very much, but I have put sports and competition above everything else. My primary goals are 2024 and after 2028, I dream of taking part in the international paralympic committee.” .
“MY HERO IS MY MOTHER!”
Boyacı, who admitted that he felt hopeless from time to time despite being very strong and successful, said, “There are times when I say ‘I can’t do it’. But at those times, the hope of the people working with me comes into play. They light the spark and rekindle the fire. In this sense, I would like to thank everyone who supports me.” “First of all, my family, especially my mother. My mother is truly the secret hero. She is with me in every aspect of my life. There is a very special bond between us. She does not want to appear in front of the cameras, I respect that, but the real hero of this story is my family and my mother,” he said.
“I’M JUMPING LIKE I’M GOING TO DEATH”
The successful athlete, who we wonder how he feels when he is alone in the water, says with a laugh, “I enter the pool as if I were going to die, as if I were going to jump into the fire,” and adds:
“I just stay in the moment because there is intense concentration there. There is no room for emotion. There I just think about the moves I will make.”
“I LOVE THE TEAM SPIRIT OF VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS”
When we asked her to comment on the success of the Sultans of the Net, who are number one in the world, Sümeyye said, “I love their team spirit very much. Ours ends immediately.” When asked about the name you like most in the team, she answered, “Eda sister (Erdem). Her ambition is amazing.”