Sezgin eyeing Para archery gold for Türkiye

Zeynep Sezgin has targeted Para archery gold after becoming the first competitor from host nation Türkiye to reach a final at the European Para Youth Games (EPYG).

The 17-year-old's debut at international level proved an outstanding success as she booked a place in the Recurve Under23 Open gold medal match.

Sezgin will now face Slovakia's Denis Ivan, after he ended hopes of an all-Turksh final by knocking out Mustafa Birlik 6-4.

That was the same scoreline that Sezgin defeated German challenger Jule Lammers by, and loud cheers greeted both finalists' victories at Cebeci Sports Complex in Istanbul.

"It is something I have dreamt of for my entire life. I am very proud of myself," said Sezgin, who took up Para archery less than four years ago.

"I am competing in the name of Türkiye, and I am very excited about competing in the gold medal match."

Sezgin held her nerve to win a tense quarter-final contest 6-5 against Italy's Gabriel De Toffoli, when a one arrow shoot-out saw her record a perfect 10 score.

"When the pressure was too high, I just concentrated on my breath-control and managed to deal with it," she added.

"I believe I will win the gold medal in the name of Türkiye. I know what to do, I am ready for it and I am prepared for it."

Ivan continued the impressive form of Slovakia's Para archers, as he secured a final place 24 hours after his team-mate Liliana Lacova qualified for the Compound Under-23 final.

The W1 Open final, meanwhile, will be an all-Italian affair between Franceso Maria Sorato, who beat semi-final opponent Arturs Strads (Latvia) and Franceso Tomaselli, conqueror or Turkish challenger Zeynep Sena Saran.

Gold and bronze medal matches in all three categories will take place on Friday (July 25).

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.