Olympic win boosted interest in archery in Turkey: Champ Gazoz

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Olympic gold medalist Mete Gazoz said on Tuesday that archery as a sport saw an increase in interest in Turkey after he won the Olympic gold medal at the Summer Games in Tokyo.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Gazoz, who brought his nation its first-ever Olympic medal in archery, said that after clinching the gold at Tokyo 2020, interest in the country surged both in himself and archery.

The 22-year-old went on to say that he hopes to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic team as well and win another medal.

"With the project that started in 2013, we aim to further the success in archery," he said.

Gazoz noted that his goal in Turkey's archery team was to maintain its rising success.

"I'm planning to stay in archery until I'm 48-49 years old. I've been doing archery since I was born," he said, adding that he would "probably continue" to practice the sport even after quitting professionally.

Referring to his recent success, Gazoz said that although he has not shot arrows since the Olympic Games ended, he came third in the Archery World Cup Final and got a bronze alongside Yasemin Ecem Anagoz in the mixed team at the World Championships in Yankton, South Dakota.

"Both competitions were fun. We're very happy with the result, too," he said.

Gazoz won the gold beating Italy's Mauro Nespoli in the men's individual archery final at Tokyo 2020 in July.

* Writing by Emre Asikci