Gold Medalist and Bilkent Graduate Gizem Girişmen: An Inspiration for Success

BY GONCA ARAZ (MAN/II)

Last week, as part of the the Career Center's ninth annual Personal Development Days, Bilkent students had the opportunity to meet with Bilkent graduate Gizem Girişmen (MAN 04'), a member of the Turkish National Para-Archery Team and a Paralympic medalist.

Ms. Girişmen was paralyzed following a traffic accident when she was 11 years old. She graduated with honors in business administration from Bilkent University in 2004. That same year, she was introduced to paralympic archery. She placed third in the 2006 European Tournament and first at the Czech IPC International Archery Tournament in 2007.

At the 2007 IPC Archery World Championship, Ms. Girişmen placed ninth during the elimination rounds (with the highest score during ranking). She took second at the European Disabled Archery Grand Prix in 2008. Another highlight, her second gold medal, came at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. She won an additional gold medal at the 2009 FITA Para-Archery World Championships in Nymburk, in the category Recurve Bow Class W2 Women.

In connection with her visit to campus, Bilkent News had a chance to interview Ms. Girişmen.

How did your participation in archery begin? What was influential in this decision?

After the car accident I started swimming during the rehabilitation period. I swam regularly for roughly two years, but when my studies became more intense, I took a break. After I graduated from Bilkent, when I was planning to start swimming again, I met my first archery instructor, a friend of my swimming coach. The instructor invited me to watch an archery practice session. I tried shooting an arrow, and I really liked it. The first two years I trained approximately six days a week. At the 2005 IPC World Archery Championships, I competed as a national archer for the first time.

After I became involved in archery, my aim was first to compete in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, and then to get a gold medal. I have been both the world champion (2009) and the Paralympic champion. Between 2007 and 2010, I was first in the IPC World Rankings, and in August 2009 I was chosen athlete of the month by the International Paralympics Committee.

In archery, disabled athletes are able to compete on the same basis as athletes who are not disabled, with some small differences in rules.

In order to be successful in archery, you need to focus on your own performance and your own target rather than on your opponents. The important thing is to give the best performance you can. I think that this outlook is applicable in all areas of life. One of the most important things that archery has taught me is that people should use their energies to reach their goals, instead of worrying about what others do.

Do you have other hobbies, like painting or playing an instrument? What made you choose archery over them?

I believe that life is a whole, and I think that having the right outlook on life includes preparing yourself in many ways. I used to play piano in my middle school and high school years. Sports, on the other hand, has always been a part of my life, from the time I was very little. Right now it is one of the main elements of my life.

What has been the motivation behind your success?

I believe that every individual is special and is capable of doing good work within the scope of their own discipline and talents. I think, therefore, the most important thing in being successful is for an individual to know themselves and their desires. Success is not something that is just given to people; in fact, the successes that we value the most are those we gain through the most effort and sacrifice. The important things are how much you want it, what effort you put into it and your belief in yourself. Throughout the period after the accident and in fact throughout my life, my family's outlook and their support have definitely played a key role. Things are much easier when your family believes and trusts in you. My family inspired me with the faith that an individual is capable of doing anything if they really want to. I guess that has been the most important source of my motivation.

You have won many titles in archery. How did it feel when you became the champion for the first time? Were you expecting this to happen?

Actually it's really hard to express that feeling in words… It gives you a sense of fulfillment to see the end result, the reward of your hard work. In the end, the people who deserve to be on the champion's podium get there through a great deal of hard work and effort, and this makes you feel closer to the other athletes when you're there. The feeling you experience on the podium is a mixture of this pride, excitement and love. It's the place where you feel the unifying and connecting power of sports the most. I would say I got to experience the greatest emotions an athlete can feel. At the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games I became the champion, saw our flag being raised and listened to our national anthem.

At the 2012 Paralympic Games, you were the flag bearer for Turkey. How did it make you feel?

It was one of the most exciting moments of my life. To be able to be a part of the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting event, representing your country in that arena and carrying your country's flag is the greatest honor an athlete can have. For me, it will always remain one of the most special moments of my life.

You are a person who knows no boundaries. Are you the same way in other areas of your life?

I am a person who respects myself and what I do. In life, you become successful through what you value and work at. I owe my success during my school years and my sports career to working hard. My motto in life is to do whatever I do properly and well, and I think discipline is a must for that.

Can we say you are an optimist? How would you define yourself?

I am a person who tries to look at life positively. Life is a gift, and we determine how we will live it. So I think that we should focus not on what we cannot do, but rather on doing what we can do, in the best way we can.

Bilkent students, including me, see you as an inspiration. Is there something in particular you would like to say to us? You can achieve anything you want as long as you really want it and make the necessary effort to succeed.