Didim swimmer Maya Gördümel has been ranked in the top 15 overall in Turkiye after completing one of her toughest missions yet – the Turkish School Sports Swimming Championship Final in Bursa.
After winning her own race, she was ranked 12th overall in Turkiye out of more than 1,000 children from over 400 schools across all four corners of the country.
Not only was she the only swimmer representing the Aydın area, but she was also the only child in the top group without access to a long course pool to train in. The 50m pool was Maya’s biggest challenge to overcome.
The young athlete stated after the race that she had higher expectations for her own performance. Maya said, “I could have swum faster,” after emerging from the pool, indicating that despite her success, she was quite critical of herself.
The competition Maya participated in was also the championship where she swam in the 50-meter long course pool for the first time in her life.
Proud mum Sam said: “Any swimmer will understand just how different short course and long course racing really are. The pacing, turns, rhythm, and endurance are completely different, and it puts swimmers without long course training at a huge disadvantage.”
Despite these limitations, Maya’s achievement of finishing in the top 15 nationwide in Turkey was considered a great source of pride by her coaches and family.
Maya’s family stated that the young athlete’s biggest struggle was not only with her competitors but also, at times, with her own self-confidence and anxieties, emphasizing the importance of providing psychological support to athletes.
The family stated that children who participate in sports, especially in smaller cities, need more support, and pointed out that the lack of basic sports facilities such as long-course swimming pools makes it difficult for young talents to develop.
The family noted that athletes like Maya have big dreams and work hard despite all the difficulties, and emphasized the importance of local governments and relevant institutions investing more in sports infrastructure.
Sam concluded: “For now, my job is simply to keep supporting her, believing in her, and continuing this journey alongside all the amazing people around us.”