Turkish athlete wins world fencing gold

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

İbrahim Ahmed Acar became the first Turkish fencer to be crowned world champion on April 1.

Acar, 17, made history at this year’s World Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships in Bulgaria after beating his American rival Christopher Walker 15-13 in the final.      

The victory comes only a month after Acar brought Turkey its first fencing championship at a European competition by winning the Europe Cadet and Junior Fencing Championship.      

The head of the Turkey Fencing Federation, Murat Atali, said Acar’s victory was a “historic success” for Turkey.      
“Within the space of one month, the same athlete has won two golds at the world and European competitions – two fencing events where we have a history of zero gold medals,” Atali added.

“İbrahim’s goal now is to win an Olympic gold,” he said.      

The press office of the Turkish Presidency stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had called to congratulate Acar on his victory.