According to Kırhan Yılmaz, who won Türkiye's first medal in swimming in the Youth Olympics, the secret of success is discipline.

Türkiye's Ambassador to Dakar Dilşad Kırbaşlı Karaoğlu hosted national swimmer Yılmaz, who won the bronze medal in the men's 200 meter medley at Dakar 2026.

Kırhan Yılmaz and Turkish National Olympic Committee officials met with embassy staff and representatives of Turkish institutions.

Speaking to the AA correspondent after the program, the 17-year-old athlete talked about his swimming journey and the joy of the medal.

Stating that he is the son of a fisherman father, Kırhan Yılmaz said that he started swimming at the age of 3 in his father's shelter in Trabzon port.

The young athlete emphasized that after a while, he joined the swimming club through his aunt and has been a licensed swimmer since 2017.

Expressing that swimming is a sport that requires discipline and dedication, Kırhan Yılmaz said, "Since I was 13, I have been working at an intense pace, waking up at 05:00 in the morning and returning home at 20:00 in the evening. I never gave up, because I wanted to represent my country in the best way in the international arena. I am proud to bring Türkiye its first medal in swimming in the history of the Youth Olympics." he said.

Stating that he will continue his training as soon as he returns to Türkiye, Kırhan stated that he will prepare for the European and world junior swimming championships as well as the Turkish Championship to be held in December.

Stating that he aims to get a medal in the European and world championships, the national swimmer emphasized that his biggest goal is to wave the Turkish flag in the Olympics.

Kırhan Yılmaz also gave advice to those who are just starting their swimming careers, underlining that swimming requires serious discipline and sacrifice, and added that it is not possible to do this sport without loving it.

34 athletes represent Türkiye in 16 branches

Dakar 2026, the first Olympic sports organization held on the African continent, started on October 31.

According to the data of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a total of 2,655 athletes aged between 14 and 17 from 204 countries and the Refugee Olympic Team are competing in the games.

Represented with 34 athletes in 16 branches at Dakar 2026, Türkiye's first medal in the games was brought by 16-year-old national athlete Sema Nur Yüksel, who won the gold medal in judo.

Dakar 2026, where 153 competitions will be held in 25 sports, will end on November 13.