Record-breaking IUE student

National swimmer Emre Sakcı, student of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), broke the world record with a time of 24.95 seconds in the men's 50-meter breaststroke short course. Sakcı, who will go down in history by improving the world record of 25.25, which has not been broken since 2009, said, “I believed that I could break the record, that I had the strength to achieve it. I have constantly motivated myself in this direction. I am very happy and proud that I have achieved my goal.”

Emre Sakcı (24), a student of IUE Vocational School Applied English and Translation Program, represented our country in the best way by displaying successful performance in swimming. Sakcı from Izmir brought the first medal to our country in the 50 meters breaststroke at the 2019 European Short Course Swimming Championships in Scotland. Sakcı, who broke 3 European records at the International Swimming League in Hungary last year, represented Turkey at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Having achieved hard-to-reach international success at a young age, Sakcı added a world record to his career. Emre Sakcı took the new world record with a time of 24.95 seconds in the men's 50-meter breaststroke in the Şehitkamil Arena Interclub Short Course Junior and Open Age Swimming Championships held in Gaziantep.

I AIMED FOR A RECORD

Stating that breaking the record is an indescribable feeling, Sakcı said, “I had one of the happiest moments in an athlete's life. Before the competition, my goal was to break the record. I always believed that I would break the record. I told myself that I had the power to make it happen. I motivated myself. Because to succeed, you must first believe in yourself. With these feelings, I reached my goal in the championship and improved the record.”

MY PHONE GOT JAMMED

Sakcı continued as follows: “After this moment, everyone around me was as happy as I was. It's like my phones got jammed. I would like to thank everyone who called me, tried to reach me by message, and sent their congratulations on social media. I have a hard time expressing my feelings. But I can say that I am experiencing an indescribable happiness and pride. A goal helps to keep the athlete motivated in the never-ending search for success. I have a long career ahead of me. There is still so much to do, so much to achieve. My goal is to achieve new achievements that will make our country proud in the international arena. I am grateful to everyone who trusted and supported me.”     

I WAS ALSO VERY EXCITED

Congratulating the record-breaker Emre Sakcı, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar said, “Emre is a student who studies at our university with the National Athlete Scholarship and sets an example for his friends in every sense. I was also very excited when I heard the news of the record. We always trusted Emre and expected that he would achieve these successes. That's what happened. I would like to thank him very much for the value he added to the University, for making us proud and happy. I sincerely believe that Emre will achieve many more successes.”