Turkish judoka Bilal Çiloğlu is pushed by a dedication to face on the rostrum on the 2024 Paris Olympics, vowing to finish the unfinished story that started in Tokyo.
Reflecting on his journey, Çiloğlu spoke with Anadolu Agency (AA) following a rigorous coaching camp on Palandoken Mountain, emphasizing his resolute dedication to his objectives.
Despite experiencing a setback within the earlier Olympic Games and enduring a major damage throughout a subsequent coaching camp, Çiloğlu refused to succumb to adversity and persevered in pursuit of his Olympic medal aspirations.
As a judo practitioner for 15 years and the captain of the nationwide staff, Çiloğlu emphasised the importance of the high-altitude coaching camp in Palandöken. Looking forward, he revealed plans for worldwide camps and collaborative endeavors in Spain and the Netherlands.
“Our qualification process is about to commence,” Çiloğlu mentioned, including: “With our coaches, we have formed a formidable team. I am confident that we will discuss future judo medalists, thanks to the collective spirit and increased number of talented athletes within our ranks. The atmosphere is charged with determination, and we are more experienced than ever before. The 2024 Paris Olympics will bear witness to our accumulated wisdom and expertise.”
Çiloğlu, who boasts a formidable monitor file of accomplishments, remarked on his earlier successes: “I represented my country in the 2020 Olympics and have clinched European and world medals, as well as triumphing in youth and hopes championships. Despite entering the Olympics as a seeded player and a favorite, the outcome did not align with our aspirations. Nevertheless, we immediately charted our course toward the 2024 Paris Olympics, displaying unwavering resolve. Securing a quota in judo is an arduous process, as it necessitates surpassing 17 of the world’s finest athletes. However, I have no reservations about our capabilities. Once I regain peak physical condition, I am confident that I will earn the coveted quota and achieve the triumphs we seek.”
Recalling a difficult interval marked by a extreme damage after the earlier Olympics, Çiloğlu shared his triumphant journey: “Following the conclusion of the Olympics, I endured a profoundly debilitating damage in the course of the early phases of the seasoned camp. I confronted adversity head-on, battling in opposition to all odds. The Turkish Judo Federation and our devoted physiotherapists supplied unwavering assist all through my restoration course of.
Today, I’m unburdened by any considerations or hindrances, and on monitor to reclaim my former prowess. Our staff is united in our pursuit of Olympic glory, with every member diligently striving for excellence. Overcoming the tribulations surrounding my damage was an uphill battle, however I wholeheartedly consider that the sacrifices made will likely be justified once I obtain the medals I need on the Olympics.”
Expressing an unyielding dedication to meet their quest for medals, Çiloğlu acknowledged the profound disappointment of falling simply wanting the rostrum in 2020.
Determined to rectify the state of affairs, he mentioned: “This remains an open wound for us. Regrettably, the judo branch has not secured an Olympic medal since 2000. In my opinion, the previous Olympics presented the closest opportunity to achieve this feat, with six participants, three of whom were seeded. While we cannot solely attribute our outcome to bad luck, the entire nation had high hopes for our success. I made a personal promise that day, vowing that it was far from over. We may triumph on the world stage, but without an Olympic medal, our journey remains incomplete. We aspire to rectify this deficiency and set a shining example for future generations.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
