Born: 1981
Biography:
Gizem Girişmen is a Turkish Paralympic archer known for her exceptional skills in the women’s recurve ARW2 event. Born on November 25, 1981, she has overcome numerous challenges and achieved remarkable success in her sporting career.
Girişmen’s journey to becoming a Paralympic athlete started at a young age. At the tender age of eleven, she tragically became paralyzed in a traffic accident in 1992. Despite the challenges she faced, Girişmen demonstrated resilience and determination to excel in life.
In 2004, Girişmen graduated with honors in Business Administration from Bilkent University. It was in the same year that she discovered her passion for archery. Invited to an archery competition, she was captivated by the sport and decided to pursue it further. With the permission of her neighbors, she practiced diligently in the basement garage of her apartment building.
After two years of practice and gaining experience in national tournaments, Girişmen had a breakthrough in her career. In 2006, she achieved an impressive 3rd place in the ARW2 Recurve Female category at the EPC Archery European Championships held in the Czech Republic. This international tournament marked the beginning of her successful journey on the global stage.
Girişmen continued to achieve significant milestones in her sporting career. In 2007, she won first place in the FITA Round at the IPC Archery World Championships in Cheongju, South Korea. The same year, she emerged victorious in the 2007 Czech Republic International Archery Tournament. Her remarkable performances earned her recognition as a top-level archer.
The pinnacle of Girişmen’s career came in 2008 at the Summer Paralympics held in Beijing, China. Representing Turkey in the individual recurve W1/W2 category, she clinched the gold medal in a thrilling match against her Chinese rival Fu Hongzhi. This victory solidified her reputation as one of the world’s leading archers.
Girişmen’s success extended beyond individual competitions. In August 2009, she reaffirmed her world champion status by securing the gold medal at the Para-Archery World Championships in Nymburk, Czech Republic. Her consistent performance and dedication to the sport earned her the distinction of being ranked as the Number One Archer in the World for Women’s Ind. Recurve-W1/W2 since 2007.
Girişmen’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed in the international sports community. She was nominated as the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year, making her the first Turkish athlete to receive this honor. Her achievements have not only brought pride to herself but also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes in Turkey and around the world.
Gizem Girişmen’s passion and dedication to archery have left a lasting impact on the sport. As the Turkish record holder in various categories, including 30-50-60-70 meters, FITA, 70 mt round, and Olymp R Match for ARW2 female category, she has set a high standard for future generations of archers.
In addition to her achievements in sport, Girişmen has also been recognized for her contributions to society. She had the honor of being a torchbearer at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, symbolizing her role as an ambassador for Paralympic values. In August 2009, she was awarded the Athlete of the Month by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), recognizing her outstanding performance and dedication.
Girişmen’s impactful journey continued in 2012 when she represented Turkey at the Summer Paralympics in London. Although she faced defeat in the quarterfinals of the women’s individual recurve W1/W2 event against her Iranian opponent, her participation showcased her perseverance and commitment to the sport. She also contributed to the Turkish team’s performance in the women’s team recurve event, where they reached the quarterfinals.
Gizem Girişmen’s remarkable story serves as a testament to the power of determination and perseverance. Despite facing adversity at a young age, she has become an inspiration to countless individuals, breaking barriers and proving that disability is never an obstacle to success. Through her achievements, she has left an indelible mark in the world of archery and women’s sports history.
Awards:
– Gold medalist at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China (Individual Recurve W1/W2)
– First place in the FITA Round at the 2007 IPC Archery World Championships in Cheongju, South Korea
– First place in the 2007 Czech Republic International Archery Tournament
– Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year nominee
– Torchbearer at the 2008 Summer Paralympics
– Athlete of the Month (August 2009) by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)