Guney confident Para sport already a big winner in Türkiye

©Bronac McNeill

Local hero Ayse Nur Guney may have just missed out on a medal but reckons Para sport will be the big winner of the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul.

The Para archer produced the fourth best score of the qualifying round in the Recurve U23 Open, just missing out on qualifying for the medal deciders.

“I was co close to a medal and I was happy with my performance,” said Guney, beaten in her quarterfinal by eventual gold medallist Denis Ivan of Slovakia.

“I lost but it showed that I will never give up. It will make me work even harder to win a gold medal in the future.

“I was so proud to compete for my home country here in Türkiye. It was a very important Games for us welcoming people from so many countries.

“These Games have been very important for Para sport in my country. This will help the sport develop in Türkiye.

“We’ve shown that whatever sport it is, Para archery or (wheelchair) basketball or Para athletics, anything, people will now try these different sports.

“Maybe it will be not to compete but to improve their social life, lifestyle, everything.”

Guney is confident the competition against Europe’s best young Para archers will be a vital learning curve for the dream target.

She added: “I am already looking forward to the Paralympic Games. I’ll be going to Los Angeles (2028) for the gold medal.”

The record-breaking Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games officially open on 24 July and run until 27 July. They will feature a record 640 athletes with 1,200 competitors, coaches and team staff from 33 countries, also the biggest ever number, competing in Para archery, Para athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, Para judo, Para swimming, Para table tennis and Para taekwondo.

Participants will also get to experience the Discovery Programme where they will have the chance to take part in education and experiences in a broad range of topics, including activities designed to immerse the people of Istanbul in EPYG and to get to know Para sport.