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Türkiye's 17-year-old national freediver Timur Alp Kuru has turned his attention to the senior category after collecting 10 medals at national and international championships within just two years.
Kuru most recently came away from the Freediving Indoor World Championship in Serbia with four medals across separate disciplines. He became world champion in the monofin event, while also picking up two silver medals and one bronze in bifins, static apnea and no-fins competitions.
Freediving is an underwater sport in which athletes hold their breath rather than rely on breathing equipment. Pool events test different skills, including distance, breath-holding time and swimming techniques using fins or no equipment.
Kuru said he initially took up freediving as a hobby and did not expect to reach an international level so quickly.
Only seven months after beginning his training, he became a Turkish champion. One month later, he finished second at a world championship, setting off a rapid rise that brought him five medals at Turkish championships and another five at world-level events.
He said representing Türkiye at international competitions and making his family proud had given his achievements additional meaning.
Although his results have grown, Kuru said freediving remains a passion and that every medal pushes him to work harder.
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Kuru is expected to move up to the senior category next year, where he will compete against older and more experienced athletes.
He has stepped up his training as he prepares to carry his success into the more demanding division and challenge for another place on the podium.
Kuru said his main goal is to prepare as strongly as possible, represent Türkiye successfully and win medals at senior level.
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