Became the champion of Turkey with an injured shoulder

Uygar Hephoşcan (19), who started swimming when he was only 5 years old, selected to the national team with his achievements and got awarded more than 120 medals, became the champion of Turkey in the competition he participated in with an injured shoulder. Uygar, who got his shoulder dislocated in the pool during the national team selections in 2020, did not give up swimming even though he was worried that he can't be the same as before, became the champion of Turkey in the 100-meter freestyle at the Turkish Interclub Short Course Junior and Open Age Swimming Championships held in Gaziantep last month. Uygar, a student of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Vocational School, Applied English and Translation Program, who has been having physical therapy for about 2 years, has set his goal as the Olympics.

Uygar Hephoşcan from Izmir started swimming in kindergarten with the guidance of his family. Having started swimming in a private pool, Uygar quickly made a difference with his talent. Uygar, whose trainers gave the report, 'He has a talent in gliding through the water, must continue swimming', continued his development rapidly.

BECAME THE CHAMPION OF TURKEY AT THE AGE OF 12

Uygar, who kept going between the pool and school by continuing his training every day, reached his first championship at the age of 12, while he was in the 7th grade. Being the champion of Turkey in the 50m butterfly, Uygar also signaled his future successes. Representing our country as a national athlete at the Penguin Cup held in Slovenia in 2019, Uygar became the champion in the 50m backstroke category. Uygar had great misfortune in the national team selections held in Edirne in March 2020. While swimming in the 100 meters, Uygar got his shoulder dislocated seconds before the end of the race, and finished the competition injured.

DID NOT GIVE UP HIS GOAL

Uygar, who started to receive physical therapy and electrotherapy, had to disrupt his training tempo. Uygar, who was worried that he wouldn’t be the same as before, and thought that it was time to stop swimming, did not give up the fight with the support of his family and trainers. Uygar, who started to regain form and worked towards his goals full steam ahead, became the champion of Turkey in the 100-meter freestyle and the third in the 50-meter freestyle at the Turkish Interclub Short Course Junior and Open Age Swimming Championships held in Gaziantep on 24-28 December.

I ALWAYS LOVED SWIMMING

Continuing his education successfully in Izmir University of Economics, Applied English and Translation Program, Uygar Hephoşcan proved that with perseverance and determination, any challenge can be overcome. Stating that there are many turning points in his sports life, Uygar said, “I started swimming when I was a child, thanks to my family. I have always loved being in the water and swimming. But if they told me that one day I would be in the national team and achieve national degrees when I was younger, I wouldn't have thought much of it. Because when you are a child, these might seem a bit hard to reach, but I have proven that it is not at all like that. I got tired of the intensive course tempo, but I overcame all of them when I focused on success.”

I COULD NOT FEEL MY ARM

Hephoşcan continued as follows: “In the national team selections in 2020, there was an event that scared me so much that I thought my swimming career was over for a while. While I was racing in the 100 meters, I suddenly realized that I couldn't move my arm. You don't really think about what might happen during the competition. That's how I finished the race. However, when I got out of the water, I couldn't feel my arm. I realized there was a serious problem. We found that my shoulder was dislocated. I was so scared, I thought it would all be over. But giving up was not for me. I had physical therapy and electrotherapy, and I survived the difficult process. However, I continue to go to physical therapy regularly every 15 days. My shoulder is still not the same as before, but I continue to recover rapidly. It was an indescribable happiness for me to be the champion of Turkey in the competition I competed like this.”

MY DREAM MAJOR

Stating that he wanted to improve his foreign language skills and that he studies a major he enjoys at IUE, Uygar said, “Continuing education along with sports is very important. I have always been interested in foreign languages, learning a different language has always appealed to me. I can say that I am majoring in a program I wanted. I am currently in first grade. I don't want to make clear statements about my future goals. However, my biggest goal in my sports life is to take part in the Olympics. I will make plans for later.”