16.10.2026 12:22
Amir Ahmedi (22), an Afghan national who was rescued from the rubble in Adıyaman 3 days after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, lost both legs above the knee after 9 surgeries. After 6 months of training in para karate, which he discovered at the hospital, he became the Turkish runner-up in his first official competition, which he entered with a hospital wheelchair without a special sports wheelchair. Ahmedi's goal is the national jersey.
Amir Ahmedi (22), an Afghan national who was rescued from the rubble 3 days after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes in Adıyaman and lost both legs, held on to life again through para karate, which he encountered during his treatment at the hospital, and became Turkey's runner-up in the first competition he entered.
HE CAME TO WORK, WAS CAUGHT IN THE EARTHQUAKE 6 DAYS LATER
Amir Ahmedi was caught in the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes in Adıyaman on February 6, 2023, 6 days after he came to Turkey to work. Ahmedi was rescued injured from the rubble of a 5-story building that collapsed in the earthquake 3 days later. Ahmedi, who was referred to Ankara for treatment, underwent 9 surgeries over a 14-month period, and both his legs were amputated above the knee. During his treatment at Etlik City Hospital, Ahmedi encountered para karate at a seminar held as part of the "Sporla Sarıl Hayata" (Hold On to Life Through Sports) project of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Turkish Karate Federation. After 6 months of training and practice, Ahmedi participated in the Turkish Championship held in Ankara and became Turkey's runner-up. Ahmedi, who currently continues his training as a licensed athlete within the club, is preparing for the Turkish Championship to be held in December.
HIS BIGGEST GOAL IS THE NATIONAL TEAM JERSEY
Amir Ahmedi, describing that after 5-6 months of training he competed in his first official competition in Ankara, said, "I did not have a special sports wheelchair; I competed in a hospital wheelchair and won my first medal; I became Turkey's runner-up. Then I also placed third. After that, I never gave up sports. I held on to life through sports. I am currently a licensed athlete. The Turkish Championship is in December. My goal is to win a gold medal. I am also a licensed para volleyball athlete. I can also play table tennis as an amateur. I learned all of these at the hospital. Thanks to sports, I became more in control of the wheelchair and got to know my body. I no longer look at life from a certain window; I socialize outside. My biggest goal is to wear the Turkish national team jersey, reach the top and win a gold medal," he said.
HIS STRUGGLE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN A MEDAL
Amir Ahmedi's coach Yasin Çetintaş said, "After the February 6 earthquake, we were at Etlik City Hospital as part of the 'Sporla Sarıl Hayata' (Hold On to Life Through Sports) project, a joint effort of our Ministry of Youth and Sports and our Karate Federation. We met Amir there, as he was trying to hold on to life again after severe trauma. He had lost both legs. After a short 6-month training, he achieved a ranking at the Turkish Championship. But what was more important to us than the medal he won was that he adapted to his new body, got used to using a wheelchair, and showed the fight of 'I also exist in life, I can continue.' Amir is the greatest indicator of the healing power of sports."