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Parla Kabasakal became world champion in the girls' under-17 windsurfing category at the 2026 IQFOIL Youth and Junior World Championship held in Spain, and now hopes to build on the success she has achieved across different age groups.
Once a young girl in Izmir who did not want to go out to sea when she first encountered the wind, Parla now shows the world the meaning of her name through her achievements. The 17-year-old national sailor continues to shine on the international stage with the championships she has won.
Parla began windsurfing at age 8 at her family's encouragement, and although she initially did not want to attend training sessions, the bond she gradually formed with the sea turned her into one of Türkiye's most successful young sailors.
Parla achieved her first major international breakthrough in 2023, winning gold in the under-13 category at the European Championship held in Italy. That same year, she also reached the top at the World Championship in France, cementing her place among the champions.
Her success did not stop there. Parla Kabasakal finished both 2024 and 2025 as European and world champion in the under-15 category, and placed third in the world in the under-17 category.
Most recently, Parla became champion in the girls' under-17 category at the 2026 IQFOIL Youth and Junior World Championship in Spain, and now hopes to claim another title in Europe, where she has previously succeeded in different age categories.
Parla Kabasakal said that she started windsurfing at age 8, and that in the beginning she would go to training in tears. The successful athlete said she began to love the sport after achieving strong results.
She recalled that although it was her first competition, she became world and European champion, calling it a huge experience that happened at a moment she never expected. "After that," she said, "my successes kept coming."
Recalling that she most recently became world champion in the girls' under-17 category in Spain, Parla said she had prepared extensively for the race and put in a great deal of effort, adding that the effort had paid off. She noted that the competition featured very good surfers and that racing against all of them was a valuable experience.
Parla said she had achieved her first world championship in this age group, having previously become champion in the under-13 and under-15 categories as well.
Looking ahead, she said she still has a long way to go before the Olympics and wants to achieve good results in upcoming competitions before preparing for the Games, which she called every athlete's ultimate goal.
"I want to do everything I can to make it to the Olympics," she said. "The main goal is the Olympics, but I have many other goals ahead of me too." She added that a European Championship is coming up soon, and that she hopes to win another title there.
Coach Emirsah Polat said that through the club they founded, they have become a respected name in the sport worldwide. Polat explained that athletes join the club from the youngest age groups and are trained to achieve results at world championships.
He said Türkiye became the first team to reach a gold trophy on the world stage thanks to their young athletes, crediting Parla, Zeynep, Doga and their other athletes for their major contribution. He said he feels great pride in being part of this achievement and in serving as the children's teacher.
Coach Anil Kayali said he has worked with Parla for many years, and that they reached this level through great effort and dedication. He noted that the team trains five days a week on a mandatory basis, with two additional optional training days.
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