Oznur Cure Girdi has emerged as a prominent para-archer who was born on October 1, 1997, in Istanbul, Turkey. Oznur participated in the women’s compound bow W2 event and has made significant achievements in her game, earning respect that showcases her talent and dedication. Despite the challenges, her struggle is very inspiring and shows the power of determination.
Early Life and Challenges
Oznur’s life changed completely as she faced a tragic car accident in 2014. After the accident, her mother was left paralyzed below the neck, while Oznur was paralyzed below her waist.
This accident took place as her father lost control of the car while the family was returning from Oru to Istanbul. This accident changed her life completely. In the treatment process, Oznur underwent extensive physical therapy in Bolu and also in Duzce. She took it as a challenge and started working on restructuring her life to explore new possibilities for her growth in life.
As she was undergoing these physical challenges, she found peace and satisfaction in the field of sports. During her rehabilitation process, she started exploring her luck and skills in sports and she started her athletic career in sitting volleyball. Later in 2019 completely changed her sports path and was inspired to become a para archer after she met Bahattin Hekimoglu who is a para archer and invited her to join the Okçuluk Vakfı Sports Club. This was the beginning of her outstanding career in archery.
Rise in Para Archery
Oznur didn’t take much time to establish her career in para archery which shows her talent and dedication. She participated in the World Qualification Tournament in Nove Mesto nad Metují, Czech Republic held in 2020 and easily qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. In the Paralympics, she scored a silver medal in the mixed team compound event with her teammate Bülent Korkmaz. This event in her life cemented her position as a strong competitor on the world stage.
She along with her teammate Sevgi Yorulmaz set a new world record with 1,344 points in the Compound Women Open Doubles event at the World Para Archery Championships in Dubai and she witnessed significant growth in her career in 2022. They put in their best efforts in the game and broke the records which resulted in their gold medal in the final, which contributed greatly to establishing Girdi as a significant figure in her game.
Recent Achievements
In the World Para Archery Championships held in Plzen, Czech Republic In 2023, Girdi won the world champion title in the Compound Women Open event. This win was a significant mark in her career, where she demonstrated her outstanding skills and dedication as a sportswoman.
As the 2024 Summer Paralympics started, Girdi continued to grow her skills and made a new world record with 704 points in the Ranking of the Women’s compound open even against Iranian archer Fatemeh Hemmati. Her performance made her qualify for the elimination rounds, where she demonstrated her skills and determination.
Paralympic Gold in Paris and Her Personal Life
Girdi’s reached new heights in her career in the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris where she competed against some of the best archers in the world and showed her prowess as an archer. She won the gold medal in the Women’s event where she defeated Iranian archer Fatemeh Hemmati. With this victory, she achieved her dreams and also became a source of inspiration to many, showing her resilience and skills despite her disabilities. Her journey in the field of sports is marked by her hard work, resilience, and strong belief in her.
Oznur got married to Fatih Girdi in February 2023, as she continued to show her legacy in the field of archery. She sets an example in the way she balanced her personal life with her archery career and became a role model for aspiring athletes, particularly among women and the disabled.
Oznur Cure Girdi’s life sets a perfect example inspiring many people who resonate with her life and look up to her. Her achievements in para archery not only show her skills but also showcase her determination to face life challenges and motivate others.
