Achieving successful results in swimming races held in our country and in Turkey in 2017, Near East University swimming team has set new 41 records in different swimming categories.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University, a press conference was held at RA25 Sports Hall under the helm of Asst. Prof. Dr. Hakan Atamtürk, Head of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports of Near East University. The swimming coaches Mehmet Gürcenk and Ergüder Oyal and NEU’s record-holder swimmers attended the meeting as well.

At the meeting, the press members were provided with information regarding the success achieved in races in 2017 by NEU swimming team consisting of Doğukan Ulaç, Buğra Korahan, Mert Toto, Emre Ersoy, Cahit Bozatlı, Orhan Özyiğit, Beren Çakır, and Hasan Hüseyin Çakır. The swimming coaches delivered information about the trainings and goals for the coming year. The swimmers also shared their views and feelings.

Hakan Atamtürk: "It is very gratifying to set new TRNC and age records both in our country and in Turkey"
Delivering the opening speech of the meeting, Hakan Atamtürk, Head of Health Culture and Sports Office, stated that the Olympic Indoor Swimming Pool that launched in 1997 within the body of the university provided them with vast opportunities to raise swimmers who had realized great accomplishments so far.

"Comparing with other sports branches, swimming requires more labor and an arduous process; our swimmers realized great accomplishments by training and working out seven days a week" said he.

Underlining the crucial role of commitment, family support, and motivation and disciplined work in achieving success, Atamtürk expressed his feelings: "It is very gratifying to achieve great success and break records in championships that held in our country and in Turkey. I hope these outstanding accomplishments will set an example for future swimmers" said he.

At the end of his remarks, Atamtürk underlined that they; as Near East University, would provide all financial and moral support for their athletes.

Symbolic swimming caps were prepared......
Expressing that they prepared special swimming caps indicating that the swimmer is a record holder, Atamtürk stated that the record holder swimmers would wear these swimming caps in the next races.

Mehmet Gürcenk: "Our goal is to participate in the Olympics Swimming Competitions"
Addressing the press members, Coach Mehmet Gürcenk highlighted the importance of success-oriented training and self-discipline in achieving their goals. Drawing attention to the arduous process and devoted efforts exerted by the athletes, Gürcenk stated that the athletes practiced and worked out in an intense tempo and in a disciplined manner seven days a week, sometimes twice a day, alongside their educational courses.

Ergüder Oyal: "We are working hard to take place at top points in competitive swimming"
Touching upon the significant role of having a swimming pool such as NEU Olympic Indoor Swimming Pool in realizing success in various styles of swimming, Ergüder Oyal stated that swimming had a very distinctive training program compared to other sport events.

Underlining that the athletes had been working 2.5-3 hours a day, 7 days a week including double training, Oyal stated that successes had been achieved as a result of disciplined, stable and serious work.

"We have set it as our mission to participate in the Olympics"
The record-holder swimmers also expressed their views and underlined that they had been trying to do their best by working hard devotedly in a disciplined manner. They voiced their determination to achieve new accomplishments. Stating that there were many factors contributing to success, they highlighted the crucial role of self-discipline, stability and contributions provided by the coaches and Near East University. They highlighted that their next goal was the Turkish National Team and the Olympics.

Achievements of Near East Swimmers

Doğukan Ulaç:
Turkish National Team Selection Competition: 400m Freestyle 04: 07.94 TRNC Record, 400m Freestyle (Final) 04: 06:34 TRNC Record, 1500 m Freestyle 16: 21.75 Turkey’s number one, TRNC Record. Samsung Cross-Continental Swimming Race 6.5 km. 1st in the 18-24 age category and 2nd in the general classification. NCWS Federation Peace Cup: 200m Medley: 02: 16.87 TRNC Record, 100m Freestyle: 00: 53.14 TRNC Record, Turkcell Turkish Young and Open Age Swimming Championships: 400 m. Free: 04: 00.03 TRNC Record.

Buğra Korahan:
NCWS Federation Individual medley Swimming Championship: 100 m. 01: 03.32 TRNC Record, NCWS Federation Stars and Grand Prix Championship: 50 m. Backstroke: 00: 26.79 TRNC Record, Turkish Short Course Swimming Championships: 50 m. Butterfly: 00: 25.61 TRNC Record, 50m Backstroke: 00: 26.53 TRNC Record, 100m Backstroke: 00: 58.49 TRNC Record, Turkcell Turkish Young and Open Age Swimming Championships: 100 m. Backstroke: 00: 58.34 TRNC Record 100 m Backstroke (Final) 00: 58.05 TRNC Record.

Mert Toto:
Ömer Aslanoğlu Swimming Championship: 100 m. Breaststroke: 01: 10.10 TRNC Record, 50 m Breaststroke: 00: 30.73 TRNC Record.

Emre Ersoy:
Turkish Individual Medley Swimming Championships: 200 m. Freestyle: 02: 14.58 Age-13 Record, 50 m Backstroke: 00: 31.21 Age-13 Record, 100 m short course medley: 01: 10.60 Age-13 Record, NCWS Federation Individual Swimming Championship: 50 m. Freestyle: 00: 27.36 Age-13 Record, 100 m. Freestyle: 01: 00.80 Age-13 Record, Ömer Aslanoğlu Swimming Championship: 200 m. Freestyle: 02: 17.36 Age-13 Record, MNE Kids and Juniors Swimming Championship: 50 m. Freestyle: 00: 27.35 Age-13 Record, NCWS Federation Individual Swimming Championship: 50 m. Freestyle: 00: 27.08 Age-13 Record, Turkish Short Course Swimming Championships: 50 m. Freestyle: 00: 26.28 Age-13 Record, 100 m. Freestyle: 01: 00.67 Age 13 Record, 50 m. Backstroke: 00: 30.38 Age-13 Record, 100 m. Backstroke: 01: 08.70 Age 13-14 Record, Turkcell Turkish Short Course Swimming Championships: 50 m. Backstroke: 00: 29.25 bronze medal (3rd place) winner, Age-13-14 Record, 100 m. Butterfly: 01: 02.85 13-14 Age Record, 50 m Freestyle: 00: 25.85 13-14-15-16 Age Record, 100 m Medley: 01: 05.88 13-14-15-16-17-18 Age Record. 50 m. Butterfly: 00: 28.33 13-14 Age Record, 100 m. Freestyle: 00: 58.23 Age-13 Record.

Orhan Özyiğit:
NCWS Federation Stars and Grand Prix Swimming Championship: 50 m. Backstroke: 00: 28.58 U 18 Record.

Cahit Bozatlı:
MNE Kids and Juniors Swimming Championship: 200 m. Butterfly: 02.40.41 Age-14 Record, Turkish Short Course Swimming Championships: 200 m. Butterfly: 02: 29.59 Age-14 Record.

Beren Cakır:
NCWS Federation Individual Swimming Championship: 100 m. Medley 01: 25.77 Age-11 Record, NCWS Federation Individual Swimming Championship: 50 m. Backstroke: 00: 38.88 Age-11 Record, 100 m. Medley: 01: 25.14 Age-11 Record

Hasan Huseyin Cakır:
NCWS Federation Individual Swimming Championship: 400 m. Freestyle: 06: 32.33 Age-10 Record.