15-year-old Mina Anka, who started taekwondo at the age of 8 with the guidance of her mother, turned to alpagut sport (martial art of Central Asian origin), which has a history of hundreds of years, with her twin brother Anhar Yuşa, 3 years later.
Mina Anka, who improved herself in a short time and won 2 regional and 3 Turkish Championships, became a national athlete in 2024.
At the 4th World Alpagut Championship in Georgia, where she participated with her twin sister last year, Mina came first in the “batur” system, which is the Alpagut hopes category, and third in the “gurşag” system.
Mina Anka, who is preparing with her coach mother for the 5th World Alpagut Championship to be held at Bursa Uludağ University Sports Complex between 4-7 December, wants to repeat her first place success.
“THE PROCESS IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT, IT IS NOT EASY TO PREPARE FOR THE COMPETITIONS”
Mina Anka Doguz said that having her coach as her mother made her feel safe, so she could relieve the tension.
Stating that she was proud of winning the gold medal last year, Mina Anka stated that the process was difficult, it was not easy to prepare for the competitions, and it was difficult both psychologically and physically.
Mina Anka expressed that she was happy that the championship was in Türkiye and said, “It is a great pride to represent Türkiye, it makes one feel proud. I think I have become the first again in the ‘Batur’ system and I have improved myself further in the ‘Gurşag’ system and I aim to be first.” he said.
COACH EMİRASLANOVA: “WE WILL WAVE THE TURKISH FLAG IN BURSA”
Coach Rümeysa Anka Emiraslanova noted that 197 athletes from the Turkish team will participate in the 5th World Championship, where there will be participation from 15 countries, and they will fight in two branches.
Explaining that the twins of her four children are actively interested in alpagut sports, Emiraslanova said, “This year, we aim to repeat our ranking in the ‘batur’ system, get first place, and get the first place in the ‘gurshag’ system. We worked hard as always. We had a little difficulty, but I am sure Mina will strive to achieve the degrees. Her twin, Anhar Yusha, decided not to continue because he was injured in the Turkish Championship. He will not be able to participate this year.” he said.
Emiraslanova stated that she could not watch her daughter and son in the championship held last year because she was a referee on another court, and that she was excited to be able to watch her daughter’s matches this year.
Stating that she was happy that the championship was held in Bursa, Emiraslanova said, “We will wave the Turkish flag in Bursa, I think it will be nice. Our process was difficult. Mina has a school, and I am studying in the first year at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences (Computer Programming). I had to concentrate on my studies, so I tried to catch up. We continued with double training on the weekends, during the week Mina already has a complete command of the system, she continued on her own.” he said.
Wishing success to the athletes, Emiraslanova said, “I want Mina to be the first, and I am sure that she will be. We will not only do these trainings, we will also train in the hotel. If not, it is not possible because everyone knows each other. Therefore, they know who will fight in what style, they need to develop a different style and be harder.” made his assessment.