Turkish women in sports

Turkish women have an active participation in many sports branches and have won several important trophies, especially in athletics, weightlifting, combat sports, volleyball and basketball.

Pioneers

• Berna Gözbaşı, first Turkish woman to chair a top-flight men's football club.
• Lale Orta (born 1960), first Turkish female football referee with FIFA badge, and first woman to chair the Central Arbitration Committee of the Turkish Football Federation.
• Begüm Kübra Tokyay (born 1993), first Turkish female head official of American football.
• Berna Yurtsever, first Turkish female boxing referee with AIBA 3-star badge.

Participation in Olympics

Pioneers

The first Turkish women to take part in the Olympic Games were Halet Çambel and Suat Fetgeri Aşani who participated in the fencing competitions of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

Medals

Archery

• Yasemin Ecem Anagöz (born 1998), European (2018) and Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ezgi Başaran (born 2003), Mediterranean Games (2022) champion
• Yeşim Bostan (born 1995), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Gülnaz Büşranur Coşkun (born 1999), European (2018, 2022) and Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Aslı Er, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ayşe Bera Süzer (born 1996), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

- Necla Şahin, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

• Sevim Yıldır, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Arm wrestling

• Esma Nur Çakmak (born 2004)
• Esra Kiraz (born 1992), World (2009, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), European (2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2022) champion
• Gülendam Sarıbal (born 1972)
• Şükriye Yılmaz (born 2001)

Athletics

National record-holders

World Athletics Championship

European Athletics Championship

Athletics in Mediterranean Games

• Şevval Ayaz, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Buse Arkazan, pole vault, Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)
• Özlem Becerek (born 2002), discus throw, Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)
• Yasemin Can (born 1996), European (2016), European Cross Country (2016, 20117, 2018, 2019), Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)
• Emel Dereli (1996), shot put, Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)
• Ekaterina Guliyev (born 1991), Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)
• Demet Parlak pole vault, Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)
• Esra Türkmen javelin throw

, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Badminton

• Bengisu Erçetin (born 2001), Mediterranean Games champion in doubles (2022)
• Neslihan Yiğit (born 1994), Islamic Solidarity Games (2013) and Mediterranean Games champion (2013, 2018, 2022)

Basketball

The Turkey women's national basketball team, also known as "Periler" (The Fairies) by the Turkish fans, is No 13 in FIBA World Rankings.

European Women Basketball Championship

Mediterranean Games

Players

• Nevriye Yılmaz (born 1980), retired national team player
• Birsel Vardarlı (born 1984), retired national team player
• Işıl Alben (born 1986), team captain
• Sevgi Uzun, (born 1996) WNBA player

Referees

• Özlem Yalman (born 1977), FIBA-listed referee since 2011.
• Funda Teoman (born 1984), referee

Billiards

Three-cushion

• Gülşen Degener (born 1968), European Women’s Cup (2003, 2004) champion
• Güzin Müjde Karakaşlı (born 1991), European Championships silver medalist (2023)

Bocce

• Ä°nci Ece Öztürk, Islamic Solidatity Games (2021) champion
• Rukiye Varol, Islamic Solidatity Games (2021) champion
• Bahar Çil Mediterranean Geams champion (2022)
• Buket Öztürk (born 2001), Mediterranean Geams champion (2022)
• Ä°nci Ece Öztürk (born 1997), Mediterranean Geams champion (2022)

Boxing

• Hatice Akbaş (born 2002), world (2022) and Mediterranean Games (2022) champion
• Ayşe Çağırır (born 1995), world (2022) champion
• Buse Naz Çakıroğlu (born 1996), world (2022) and European (2019, 2022, 2024) champion
• Nurcan Çarkçı, European (2003)champion
• Şennur Demir, (born 1982) world (2022) and European Union (2017) champion
• Hasibe Erkoç, world (2006) and European (2001, 2006) champion
• Elif Güneri (born 1987), European (2016, 2019) and European Union (2017) champion
• Nurhayat Hiçyakmazer (born 1983), world (2010) and European (2010) champion
• Sümeyra Kaya, European (2007), European Union (2006, 2008) champion
• Nagehan Malkoç (born 1985), European Union (2007) champion
• Busenaz Sürmeneli (born 1998), Olympics (2020), world (2019, 2022, 2025), European (2024), European Games (2023) and Mediterranean Games (2022) champion
• Hülya Şahin (born 1974), world (1996, 1998, 2001) and European (2001, 2003) champion
• Sabriye Şengül (born 1988)
• Ayşe Taş (born 1987), European Union (2010, 2011) champion
• Gülsüm Tatar (born 1985), world(2008, 2010), European Union (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010) and European (2004, 2009, 2011) champion
• Selma Yağcı (born 1981), European Union (2007, 2008) champion
• Şemsi Yaralı (born 1982), world (2008), European Union (2008) and European (2011) champion
• Serpil Yassıkaya, European Union (2010) champion

Cycling

• Esra Kürkçü, Balkan champion
• Semra Yetiş, Balkan champion

Fencing

Épée:

• Lal Erman, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Aleyna Ertürk, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021)
• Gökçe Günaç, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Damlanur Sönmüş, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Foil:

• Suat Aşani (born 22 September 1916, date of death unknown)
• Halet Çambel (1916–2014), 1936 Olympian
• Almila Birçe Durukan, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021)
• Aleyna Ertürk (born 2005), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021, 2025) champion
• Özden Ezinler (born 1950)
• Firuze Ayşen Güneş, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Alisa Ä°sbir, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ä°rem Karamete (born 1993), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Sabre:

• Nisanur Erbil (born 2003), Olympian fencer (2024)
• Iryna Shchukla Çiçek (born 1995), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Football

Women's football in Turkey began with the establishment of the all-women's club Dostlukspor in Istanbul in the early 1970s. Turkey women's national football team was established in 1995.

Notable footballers:

• Merve Aladağ (born 1993)
• Sevgi Çınar (born 1994)
• Bilgin Defterli (born 1980)
• Sibel Duman (born 1990)
• Eylül Elgalp (born 1991)
• Esra Erol (born 1985)
• Melahat Eryurt (born 1975)
• Leyla Güngör (born 1993)
• Başak İçinözbebek (born 1994)
• Lale Orta (born 1960)
• Hatice Bahar Özgüvenç (born 1984)
• Zeliha Şimşek (born 1981)
• Ebru Topçu (born 1996)
• Yağmur Uraz (born 1990)
• Cansu Yağ (born 1990)
• Aylin Yaren (born 1989)

Managers

• Özlem Araç (born 1989)
• Cemile Timur (born 1988)

Referees:

• Necla Akdoğan (born 1971)
• Drahşan Arda (born 1945), world's first female referee
• Leman Bozacıoğlu
• Ä°pek Emiroğlu (born 1992)
• Elif Köroğlu
• Mürvet Yavuztürk (born 1985)

FIFA listed refereesː

Freediving

• Derya Can Göçen (born 1979), world record holder
• Yasemin Dalkılıç (born 1979), world record holder
• Şahika Ercümen (born 1985), world record holder
• Birgül Erken (born 1972)
• Fatma Uruk (born 1988), world champion and world record holder

Gymnastics

Aerobic gymnastics

• Ayşe Begüm Onbaşı (born 2001), World (2021), Mediterranean Games (2021) and Islamic solidarity Games (2021) Championships

Artistic gymnastics

• Sevgi Seda Kayışoğlu, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Bilge Tarhan (born 2004), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Göksu Üçtaş (1990), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Bengisu Yıldız, Isşamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Tutya Yılmaz (born 1999), gold medalist

Rhythmic gymnastics

• Duygu Doğan (born 2000), European gold medalist in the 3 Hook + 4 clubs event

Handball

The Turkish Women's Handball League was established in 1978.

In the Mediterranean Games

• Tuana Akman, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Elif Sıla Ayfın (born 1996), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Neslihan Çalışkan, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ceren Demirçelen, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Meryem Erdoğan, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Emine Gökdemir, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Nurceren Akgün Göktepe, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Atiye Gülseven, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Halime Ä°slamoğlu, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Beyza Karaçam, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Merve Özbolluk (born 1994), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Bile Nur Öztürk, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Kübra Sarıkaya, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ayşenur Sormaz, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Yasemin Şahin (born 1988), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Gülcan Tügel, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Betül Yılmaz (born 1988), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Ice hockey

Turkish national women's ice hockey team was established in 2006.

Ice skating

• Naz Arıcı (born 1982), adult figure skater

Judo

• Tuğçe Beder, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Hasret Bozkurt (born 2001), Islamic Solidarity Games (2025) champion
• Belkıs Zehra Kaya (born 1984), Mediterranean Games champion (2005)
• Kayra Sayit (born 1988), European (2016, 2021), Mediterranean Games (2018, 2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Neşe Şensoy (born 1974), Mediterranean Games champion (2001)
• Nurcan Yılmaz, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Karate

• Dilara Bozan (born 1997), Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2017, 2021), European (2015, 2024) champion
• Eda Eltemur (born 1999), European champion
• Serap Özçelik (born 1988), European champion
• Tuba Yakan (born 1991), Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2021) champion

Kickboxing

• Emine Arslan, Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2021) champion
• Feyzanur Azizoğlu, Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2021) champion
• Gözde Nur Göktaş, Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2021) champion
• Kübra Kocakuş, Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2021) champion
• Bediha Taçyıldız, Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2021) champion
• Hayriye Türksoy Hançer, Islamic Solidarity Gamrs (2021) champion

Modern pentathlon

• Ä°lke Özyüksel (born 1997), first ever Turkish Olympian

Motor sports

Car racing

• Seda Kaçan (born 1993), TCR European Endurance champion (2024)

Motorcycle racing

• Selen Tınaz (born 2008), motocross racer
• Irmak Yıldırım (born 2005), motocross racer

Muaythai

• Halime Eke (bırn 1999), European champion (2024)
• Ezgi Keleş (born 2002), European champion (2024)
• Kübra Kocakuş (born 1996), world (2022, 2024), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Bediha Tacyıldız (born 1996), world (2014 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), European (2012, 2014, 2019), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Gülistan Turan (born 1997), world (2023, 2024), European Games (2023), European (2024) champion

Rowing

• Fitnat Özdil (1910–1993)
• Melek Özdil (1916– )
• Elis Özbay (2001– ), first Olympian
• Nezihe Özdil (1911–1984)
• Vecihe Taşçı (1905–2002)

Sailing

Dinghy 470:

• Beste Kaynakçı (born 1994), 2024 Olympian
• Lara Nalbantoğlu (born 2001), 2024 Olympian

IQFoil:

• Merve Vatan (born 2005=, 2024 Olympian

Kitesurfing:

• Derin Atakan (born 2006), 2024 Olympian

Laser Radial

• Ecem Güzel (born 1995), 2024 Olympian

Windsurfing:

• Lena Erdil (born 1989), 2018 PWA World Cup

Shooting

Air pistol:

• Elif Beyza Aşık (born 1994), European team record holder (2022)
• Esra Bozabalı (born 1991), European champion (2025)
• Şevval Ä°layda Tarhan (born 2000), European team record holder (2022), European champion (2025)
• Seher Tokmak (born 1999), European team record holder (2022)
• Şimal Yılmaz (born 2003), European silver medalist (2024), European chsmpion (2025)

Skeet:

• Sena Can, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Trap:

• Safiye Sarıtürk Temizdemir (born 1995), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Swimming

• Ekaterina Avramova (born 1991), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Beril Böcekler (born 2004), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ä°lknur Nihan Çakıcı, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ecem Dönmez, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Sezin Eligül, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Deniz Ertan (born 2004), Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Viktoriya Zeynep Güneş (born 1998), European (2021), Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Defne Taçyıldız (born 2003), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Merve Tuncel (born 2005), Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Open water swimming:

• Bengisu Avcı (born 1996), holder of Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and Oceans Seven
• Nilay Erkal (born 1999)
• Melda Fatma Ä°drisoğlu (born 1989)
• Aysu Türkoğlu (born 2000), competes in the Oceans Seven

Table tennis

Olympian

• Meral Yıldız Ali (born 1987)
• Sibel Altınkaya, 2024 Olympian
• Melek Hu (born 1989)
• Özge Yılmaz, Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)

Taekwondo

• Zeliha Ağrıs (born 1998), world and European champion
• Dürdane Altunel
• Furkan Asena Aydın, world and European champion
• Arzu Ceylan, European champion
• Nuray Deliktaş, European champion
• Merve Dinçel (born 1999), European (2022), MediterraneanGames (2022) and World (2023) champion
• Ayşegül Ergin, 1992 Olympian
• Yeliz Fındık, European champion
• Emine Göğebakan (born 2001), world (2025)
• Sibel Güler, 2008 Olympian, European champion
• Hatice Kübra Ä°lgün (born 1993), European (2022) and Mediterranean Games champion (2022)
• Nafia Kuş (born 1995), world (2023, 2025), European (2018), Mediterranean Games (2022) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2017) champion
• Zeynep Murat, European champion
• Burcu Sallakoğlu
• Kadriye Selimoğlu, world champion
• Arzu Tan, world champion
• Azize Tanrıkulu, 2008 Olympian, European champion
• Ayşenur Taşbakan, European champion
• Nur Tatar, 2012 Olympian, world and European champion
• Hamide Bıkçın Tosun, 2000 Olympian, world champion
• Sude Yaren Uzunçavdar, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ä°rem Yaman, world champion
• Hatice Kübra Yangın, European champion
• Tennur Yerlisu, world and European champion
• Gülnur Yerlisu, European champion
• Rukiye Yıldırım (born 1991), European (2010, 2018), Mediterranean Games (2018) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2017, 2021) champion

Tennis

Some notable Turkish female tennis players include:

• Çağla Büyükakçay, former WTA tour champion
• Başak Eraydın
• Pemra Özgen
• Ä°pek Soylu
• Zeynep Sönmez (born 2002), WTA tour champion
• Ä°pek Şenoğlu
• Melis Sezer
• Vecihe Taşçı (1905–2002)

Volleyball

National teams

The Turkish Women's National Team is also known as "Filenin Sultanları" (Sultans of the Net).

| 2025 Dünya Kadınlar Voleybol Şampiyonası ||Tayland, ||

Club teams

Fenerbahçe won the 2011–12 CEV Women's Champions League. Vakıfbank is the winner of the 2013 Club World Championship and the 2012–13 CEV Champions League. Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor won the 2014–15 CEV Women's Challenge Cup.

• Ezgi Akyaldız, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ayçin Akyol, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Emine Arıcı, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ä°lkin Aydın (born 2000), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Zeynep Sude Demirel (born 2000), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Yaprak Erkek, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Buket Gülübay, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ä°dil Naz Kanbur, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ceren Kapucu (born 1993), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Buse Kayacan Sonsırma, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Aslıhan Kılıç (born 1998), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Yasemin Yıldırım, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Melis Yılmaz (born 1997), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Tutku Burcu Yüzgenç, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Water polo

National team players:

Weightlifting

• Duygu Alıcı (born 2001), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Cansu Bektaş (born 2003), European (2023, 2024) champion
• Emine Bilgin (born 1984), European (2001) champion
• Fatmagül Çevik (born 2005) national record holder ın the snatch event (2024)
• Ayşegül Çoban (born 1992), European (2014) champion
• Aylin Daşdelen (born 1982), European (2002, 2003, 2010, 2011) champion
• Nuray Güngör (born 2000), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Şaziye Erdoğan (born 1992),world (2019), European (2019, 2022), Mediterranean Games (2018) champion
• Dilara Narin (born 2002), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Aysel Özkan (born 2002), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Sibel Özkan (born 1988), world (2010), European (2015, 2016) champion
• Şule Şahbaz (born 1978), European (2002) champion
• Sibel Şimşek (born 1984), European (2004, 2009, 2010, 2012) champion
• Nurcan Taylan (born 1983), Olympic (2004), European (2003, 2004, 2008), Mediterranean Games (2005) champion
• Dilara Uçan (born 2002), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion

Wrestling

• Yasemin Adar (born 1991), world (2017, 2022), European (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022ü 2023, 2024), Islamic Solidarity Games (2017) and Mediterranean Games (2013, 2022) champion
• Nesrin Baş (born 2002), European (2024) champion
• Evin Demirhan (born 1995), European champion (2022), Mediterranean Games (2018, 2022) champion
• Bediha Gün (born 1994), Mediterranean Games (2018, 2022) champion
• Buse Tosun (born 1995), Mediterranean Games (2018), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021), world (2023 and European (2024=) champion

Para Archery

• Handan Biroğlu (born 1981), para-archer
• Öznur Cüre (born 1997), Paralympics (2024), world (2022, 2023, 2025), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021), European (2023, 2024) champion
• Burcu Dağ (born 1981), world champion para-archer
• Gizem Girişmen (born 1981), Paralympic champion archer
• Merve Nur Eroğlu (born 1993), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Nil Mısır (born 1987), Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Gülbin Su (born 1971), Paralympian archer
• Büşra Ün (born 1994), world (2025) champion

Para Athletics

• Fatma Damla Altın (born 2002),Paralympian long jumper, heptathlete, pentathlete world and European champion
• Esra Bayrak (born 1998),Paralympian long junper world and European champion
• Hamide Kurt (born 1993), Paralympian sprinter
• Sümeyye Özcan (born 1992), Paralympian middle-distance runner
• Zübeyde Süpürgeci (born 1993), sprinter, World Athletics European (2021), European (2016, 2018),

Mediterranean Games (2018) and Islamic Similarity Games (2021) champion

Para Badminton

• Emine Seçkin (born 1980), Paralympian European champion
• Halime Yıldız (born 1980), European (2023) champion, 2024 Paralympian

Goalball

• Sevda Altınoluk (born 1994), Paralympic gold medalist goalball player
• Buket Atalay (born 1990), Paralympic gold medalist goalball player
• Gülşah Düzgün (born 1995), Paralympic gold medalist goalball player
• Neşe Mercan (born 1994), Paralympic gold medalist goalball player
• Sümeyye Özcan (born 1992), Paralympic gold medalist goalball player
• Zeynep Yetgil, Islamic Soldiarity Games (2021) champion
• Seda Yıldız (born 1998), Paralympic gold medalist goalball player

Para Judo

• Nazan Akın (born 1983), Paralympic medalist judoka
• ZeynepÇelik (born 1996), world and European champion judoka
• Duygu Çete (born 1989), Paralympic medalist judoka
• Mesme Taşbağ (born 1981), European champion, Paralympic medalist judoka
• Ecem Taşın (born 1991), Paralympic medalist judoka
• Döndü Yeşilyurt (born 1993), world and European champion judoka

Powerlifting

• Özlem Becerikli (born 1980), Paralympic medalist powerlifter
• Çiğdem Dede (born 1980), Paralympic medalist powerlifter
• Nazmiye Muslu (born 1979), Paralympic and world champion powerlifter

Para Shooting

• Çağla Baş (born 1992), wheelchair basketball player and Paralympic shooter
• Aysel Özgan (born 1978), sport shooter
• Ayşegül Pehlivanlar (born 1979), sport shooter

Para Swimming

• Ada Zehra Anlatıcı (born 2007), European champion swimmer with Down syndrome
• Emine Avcu, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Sümeyye Boyacı (born 2003), Paralympian (2016), world champion (2022) and Islamic Soidarity Games champion (2021)
• Özlem Kaya (born 1992), Paralympian (2012, 2016)
• Şevval Beren Mutlu, Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)
• Sevilay Öztürk (born 2003), Paralympian (2016), Islamic Solidarity Games champion (2021)

Para Table tennis

• Ebru Acer (born 2002), European (2023= champion Paralympian
• Merve Cansu Demir, Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Ümran Ertiş (born 1996), Paralympic medalist, European (2013) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Neslihan Kavas (born 1987), Paralympic medalist, European (2013) and Islamic Solidarity Games (2021) champion
• Kübra Öçsoy (born 1994), Paralympic medalist, European champion table tennis player

Para Taekwondo

• Meryem Betül Çavdar (born 2000), European champion
• Nurcihan Ekinci, European champion
• Seçil Er, world and European champion
• Gamze Gürdal, European (2022, 2024), European Para (2023) champion
• Merve Yazıcı, Deaflympics (2013, 2017, 2021), European Deaf (2019) champion

Wheelchair tennis

• Büşra Ün (born 1994), first Paralympic competitor

References

External links

• A Turkish Sports Page