Turkish champion says started weight lifting to be able to walk

The youngest of the three children of the Poyraz family living in Kepez, Simge Elif Poyraz was born with Spina Bifida disease, which is known as a developmental disorder in the spinal cord. Poyraz, who had some difficulties in her childhood due to her illness, became partially paralyzed in her left leg when she was 12 years old. Simge, who started receiving physical therapy, met with weightlifting athlete Faruk Öztürk, who, like herself, was living with a wheelchair. Working with great determination, Poyraz came second in the Physically Disabled Türkiye Championship, which she participated in shortly after she started weight lifting. Not letting her disability stop her from winning, Simge won the first place in the Physically Disabled Türkiye Weightlifting Championship held in Nazilli, Aydın last month. 'I was introduced to sports thanks to my friend Faruk, who is a world champion in weight lifting. My first thought when starting out was to strengthen my leg muscles. I came second in Türkiye in the championship held shortly after. After seeing my success, I changed my mind, focused completely on my arms and aimed to become a champion.' said Poyraz.

Turkish champion says started weight lifting to be able to walk

Simge Elif Poyraz, who was born in Antalya with a rare developmental disorder in the spinal cord and started sports after a while to strengthen her leg muscles and walk, became the Turkish champion in weight lifting.