National para-swimmer Defne Kurt becomes European champion

Defne Kurt won the women’s S10 50-meter freestyle final at the 2026 European Para Swimming Championships in Gebze, but the gold medal did not fully satisfy her. She finished in 27.45 seconds at the Olympic Swimming Pool in Kocaeli.

Speaking after the race, Kurt said her next target would be the world record at a world championship or the Olympic Games. “I will break the record at the next World Championships or Olympic Games,” she told Anadolu Agency. “The first place came, that is done, but my goal was the world record. That is why I was not completely happy.”

Kurt also expressed hope that everyone who works hard could achieve success like hers. Turkey finished the day with one gold and one silver medal at the championship, which is scheduled to end on Saturday.

Umut Ünlü added the silver medal in the men’s SB2 50-meter breaststroke final.

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I will break the record at the next World Championships or Olympic Games. The first place came, that is done, but my goal was the world record. That is why I was not completely happy.