Turkey wins historic gold medals in women’s tennis at Med Games

MERSİN - Anadolu Agency

The now 'golden' pair Çağla Büyükakçay and Pemra Özgen reached the top of the podium in doubles tennis, in a first for Turkey. AA photo

Turkey has won two historic gold medals both in women’s tennis singles and doubles at the Mediterranean Games in Mersin. The pair Çağla Büyükakçay and Pemra Özgen won their finals against Anastasia Grymalska and Federica Di Sarra competing for Italy, clinching a historic gold. Büyükakça also won the singles competition, beating her Spanish rival Sara Sorribes Tormo in two sets. 

The Turkish Martial Arts team has also delivered a stunning performance, sweeping the medals in Karate by winning six golds and two silvers, finishing in a medal spot in almost every category.

In the women's competitions Serap Özçelik in the 50 kg category, Tuba Yenen in 55kg, Hafza Şeyda Burucu in 68 kg, and Meltem Hocaoğlu in +68kg, clinched a record number of gold medals. Bahar Erşeker added a silver in the 61 kg category.

In men's competitions, Ömer Kemaloğlu in the 67 kg category and Serkan Yağcı in 75 kg both won golds. Enes Erkan earned a silver medal in the +84 kg category, completing an almost perfect run.

Elsewhere at the Games, Turkish athlete Ümmü Kiraz won a rare medal in long distance running with a bronze in the half-marathon race.

Overall, Turkey has reinforced its second place on the medal table, which is still led by Italy with its 180 medals, of which 66 are gold. Turkey tallied a total of 116 medals, including 44 golds. France is in third place with 24 golds, followed by Egypt and Spain.