National athlete Derya Kunur became the champion despite falling to the ground.

Derya Kunur, the national athlete and record holder in Turkey, who lives in Muş, became the champion in her last race despite injuring her foot by falling down.

At the Turkcell Super League held at İzmir Atatürk Stadium on September 7-8, the 25-year-old Derya Kunur, who has achieved many international successes, competed in the 3000-meter hurdles.

In the first round of the competition, the successful athlete stumbled and injured her foot by hitting the hurdle, but she did not give up and finished first despite falling behind her competitors.

Earning admiration with her determination, the national athlete set her sights on the World University Summer Games and the World Championships to be held in Muş in 2025 after the race.

After her foot heals, Derya Kunur, who will start training, wants to represent her country in the championships with the best results.

"I ran in pain"

Derya Kunur, who has been involved in sports for 12 years, told AA reporter that she has previously achieved significant international successes.

Talking about her race in the 3000-meter hurdles in İzmir, Derya said, "I stumbled at the beginning of the race, fell down, and somersaulted. I fell 30-40 meters behind my competitors. Despite the pain in my foot, I did not give up. I continued the race until the end. I caught up with my friends in the last lap and became the champion. Since it was a club race, I couldn't quit. I ran in pain."

Derya Kunur, who closed the season this year due to swelling in her foot, stated the following:

"There are the World University Summer Games and the World Athletics Championships in 2025. We will start our preparations for these races. I am the record holder in both the 2000-meter hurdles and the 3000-meter hurdles in Turkey. I have held this record for 6 years. No one has broken it yet. I am very happy for this. I would like to thank our Youth and Sports Provincial Director Mehmet Arif Taşdemir, my club Fenerbahçe Sports Club, my coach Naim Koçlar, and my family for their support during this process. They have always been by my side. Thanks to them, I succeeded. After the swelling in my foot subsides, I will achieve better results. I believe that I will achieve better successes."