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<\/p>\nWith T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s women punching above their weight on the global stage, Turkish Boxing Federation President Suat Hekimo\u011flu says it\u2019s time the men delivered too \u2013 and he\u2019s betting on a generational rebuild to make it happen.<\/p>\n
Just seven months into the job, Hekimo\u011flu has already overseen 10 major national events and ramped up grassroots development, especially in the under-22 and under-10 categories. But his true mission lies beyond the local rings: bringing T\u00fcrkiye its first Olympic men\u2019s boxing medal since Yakup K\u0131l\u0131\u00e7\u2019s bronze in 2008.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat still hurts,\u201d Hekimo\u011flu told Anadolu Agency (AA) in an exclusive interview. \u201cWe can\u2019t ignore what the women have achieved \u2013 they\u2019re among the best two teams in the world. But from the moment I took this role, I\u2019ve asked myself: how can we replicate that success with the men?\u201d<\/p>\n
Long climb back<\/p>\n
Hekimo\u011flu is placing his hopes in the upcoming World Boxing Championships in Liverpool this September \u2013 the debut edition organized by World Boxing, now recognized by the International Olympic Committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur athletes have been sparring with the best across joint international camps,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re aiming for the top \u2013 in both men\u2019s and women\u2019s divisions. I believe at least three or four of our male boxers can bring home medals.\u201d<\/p>\n
He acknowledged the lack of recent success but pointed to a structural overhaul, including updated weight classes and intensified camp schedules. \u201cOur young talents need exposure \u2013 more bouts, more tournaments, more grind,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
World Boxing eyes T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, World Boxing itself wants in on T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s momentum.<\/p>\n
Hekimo\u011flu revealed that World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst is backing T\u00fcrkiye to host a major Olympic-qualifying tournament in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told him, \u2018Mr. President, we want one big international tournament here \u2013 one that awards Olympic points.\u2019 He immediately said, \u2018Of course.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
With ministry support expected, Hekimo\u011flu says T\u00fcrkiye is ready to deliver on the world stage. \u201cI never fought in the ring, but I know boxing. And more importantly, I know what our youth need to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
A first for Turkish girls<\/p>\n
One of Hekimo\u011flu\u2019s proudest achievements has come at the grassroots level \u2013 launching T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s first national girls’ championship for boxers as young as 10.<\/p>\n
Held in Tokat, the event welcomed 500 athletes and 500 family members to the stands. \u201cIt was unprecedented,\u201d he said. \u201cWe watched girls who may one day bring T\u00fcrkiye Olympic gold.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also revived the boys\u2019 \u201calt minikler\u201d (sub-minis) category, dormant since the pandemic. \u201cThese kids are our future. And if that means keeping their parents close during training camps, we\u2019ll make that happen too.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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