Turkish gymnasts stamp marks in 2019

By Doga Kirmizioglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish gymnasts made came into their own in world gymnastics in 2019 and one athlete made history at an international tournament.

Ibrahim Colak, 24, left his mark by becoming the first Turkish athlete to win gold at the World Artistic Gymnastics Champions.

He captured the top spot on the medal podium by winning the men's ring with 14,933 points, 0.033 points ahead of Italy's Marco Lodadio at the tournament in Stuttgart, Germany in October.

At the same competition, Ahmet Onder won silver by securing 14,983 points in the parallel bars final.

Four gymnasts earned Olympic places for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

In addition to Colak and Onder, Nazlı Savranbasi and Ferhat Arican will represent Turkey in at the Games.

- '2019 was extraordinary successful year for us'

Turkish Gymnastics Federation President Suat Celen said 2019 was an extraordinary successful year for the Turkish gymnasts “in terms of growing numbers of athletes and obtaining successful results in the tournament.”

"It was the most memorable moment of our country and our federation when Ibrahim Colak gained a gold at the top of the podium," he added.

- 'We want to show that our successes are not coincidence'

Celen emphasized the achievements are the results of great efforts of the athletes.

"We work to show that our successes are not coincidence and want to make our nation happy in Tokyo with further achievements."

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli