ÇEVRE HIGHLIGHTS - 29. SAYI

39 OCAK 2026 Defne KURT Interviewed By: Ece YILMAZ - Saren TOGAY ECE: We would like to start our interview by thanking you for showing us how every step taken with hard work, every obstacle overcome with determination, and every dream built with passion can turn into reality on this journey leading to world championships. Welcome back to your school. You have made us all proud with this incredible achievement, and we congratulate you once again. For those of our friends who don’t know you, could you briefly introduce yourself? Of course. I’m 24 years old, a psychology graduate, and also a Paralympic national athlete. In the spring term, I will be starting my clinical master’s degree again. ECE: Thank you. SAREN: How does it feel to be a guest at your school as a champion after achieving so many successes? Could you tell us a little about how you feel? It’s an indescribable feeling. I spent five years at this school, and coming here now as a guest makes me incredibly happy. I really can’t put it into words. SAREN: Winning five gold medals at theWorld Championship is an enormous achievement. What did you feel during the championship? Could you tell us a little about those moments? I can describe it as an exciting ten days. It was a very intense process with a lot of stress and physical exhaustion. I had five races—one would finish and I immediately had to focus on the next—so it was a long and demanding period. But on the very last day, after winning all five medals, the happiness was indescribable. I couldn’t hold back my tears during the National Anthem. I can say that I feel proud and happy. ECE: Could you talk a little about how the education you received at Çevre College reflected on your university education and your championship journey? The education I received at Çevre College was very comprehensive. Based on my own observations, I can say it is one of the best high schools in Turkey academically. I was doing sports, but at the same time I had to continue my education alongside it. Thankfully, my teachers were very supportive. During times when I went to training sessions or camps and couldn’t be at school, they were always in touch with me, saying, “Let’s work on this as well, let’s do that too—what can we do?” We were in constant communication. Despite my intense schedule, being able to get into a good university and study the department I wanted—I can say that Çevre College made this possible for me. SAREN: I would like to congratulate you both on this great success and on your determination and perseverance. How did you manage not to give up despite the difficulties you experienced? Could you tell us a little about how you maintained your motivation? Thank you. My motivation began when I stopped dwelling on the hardships I went through and instead asked myself, “What lesson can I take from this?”—that’s when my perspective changed. It also changed when I realized that no one else could help me and that I could only stand up through my own belief. In the end, no one is going to hold your hand and pull you out of that pit. I can say that I got out of it by believing in myself. ECE: Another question I’m curious about is: what did you consider when choosing your university and department, and how were you able to manage your sports life and exam preparation together? We created a roadmap by asking which profession would allow me to balance my sports life and education together. Based on my scores, we had already calculated these options with my teachers. I had previously wanted to study veterinary medicine, but focusing on a science track alongside a sports career was more difficult, because it required attending and following classes every day. Due to the intensity of my training and camps, I didn’t have the time to keep up with daily classes. So I turned to the equal-weight track and had already developed an interest in psychology at that time. We thought that psychology could be a fieldwhere I could do somethingmeaningful. With the support of my teachers and my school, and with my own belief, I managed to carry both together and direct my educational life in that way. SAREN: What kind of career plan are you thinking about from now on? Could you tell us a little about it? From now on, I want to progress further in swimming. There are upcoming European Championships, the Olympics, and another World Championship. I want to compete in as many events as possible in these competitions and win gold medals. My longer-term goal is to combine sports and psychology and advance further in the field of sports psychology. ECE – SAREN: Thank you very much. You’re welcome.