ISTANBUL, Turkey — The Turkish traditional archery team returned from South Korea with a total of four medals after a strong performance at the World Traditional Archery Championship held in the host nation this week. The haul includes one gold, two silver and one bronze medal, marking one of the most successful outings for the squad in recent years.

Competing across three distinct target categories – 70‑metre puta, 30‑metre zhamby and 90‑metre tarsca – Turkey’s athletes demonstrated both depth and versatility. Ayşegül Demirbağ Çalışkan clinched the gold medal in the 70‑metre puta division, delivering a flawless series that left her rivals trailing. Her victory was the highlight of the Turkish campaign and earned her a place on the podium during the closing ceremony.

Silver medals were secured by two women in separate disciplines. Havvanur Uzun took second place in the 30‑metre zhamby event, while Sena Keçeci earned the same accolade in the demanding 90‑metre tarsca category. Both archers displayed consistent accuracy under pressure, confirming Turkey’s growing strength in these traditional formats.

The bronze medal came from Fulya Erilli Aybar, who added a podium finish in the 70‑metre puta competition, joining teammate Demirbağ Çalışkan among the medalists for that distance. In the 90‑metre tarsca event, male archer Fatih Çetin narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth after a tightly contested final round.

The championship, organized by the World Archery Federation’s traditional archery division, gathered participants from more than 30 nations. Turkey’s four‑medal tally placed the country among the top performing teams, underscoring the sport’s rising profile back home.

Speaking after the competition, the head coach of the Turkish squad highlighted the athletes’ dedication and the support from the Turkish Archery Federation. “Our archers have worked tirelessly to master the specific techniques required for each target type,” he said. “These results reflect the hard work of the athletes, the expertise of our coaches, and the increasing investment in traditional archery across Turkey.”

The success is expected to boost interest in traditional archery among younger athletes and may lead to increased funding for training facilities and international participation. Officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports also praised the team’s achievements, noting that the medals contribute to Turkey’s broader sports diplomacy objectives.

The World Traditional Archery Championship will conclude with a cultural program showcasing the heritage of the sport, after which the Turkish delegation will return home to a warm reception from fans and media alike.

Sources (learn more):

cnnturk.com — https://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/geleneksel-turk-okculuk-takimi-dunya-sampiyonasinda-4-madalya-kazandi-3488994