Biography
Started: He took up the sport in 2007 in Turkiye. (Athlete, 15 May 2016)
Reason: He discovered table tennis at school in Ankara, Turkiye. "There were not many activities we could do at school. We had one table where we could play. We used to play among ourselves with our friends. A ball would come to the canteen once a week. We would take care of it so that our ball would not break. If I were born again, I would want to play table tennis again." (aa.com.tr, 16 May 2024)
Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (aa.com.tr, 28 Oct 2023)
Milestones: He became the first table tennis player representing Turkiye to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games by claiming victory in the men's class 4 singles at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 28 Apr 2021; ittf.com, 14 Sep 2016)
Additional Info: OCCUPATION
He works as a coach at the Ankara Youth Services and Sports Provincial Directorate in Turkiye. (Facebook profile, 09 Nov 2023)
Sporting Relatives: His younger brother Ali Ozturk has represented Turkiye in Para table tennis. He won bronze in class 5 singles at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 18 Dec 2023; trtspor.com.tr, 11 May 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateOctober 1, 1989
Place of ResidenceANKARA
OccupationAthlete, Coach
EducationSports Science - Ankara University, Turkiye
Languages SpokenTurkish
CoachIlhami Kilinckaya [national]
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 1 | Singles - Class 4 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | |
| 1 | Singles - Class 4 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | |
| 3 | Men's Team Class 4-5 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | |
| 5 | Men's Team Class 4-5 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | |
| 5 | Singles - Class 4 | 2012 | London, GBR | |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | Men's Team Class 4 | 2017 | Bratislava, SVK | |
| 2 | Singles - Class 4 | 2018 | Lasko, SLO | |
| 2 | Men's Team Class 5 | 2014 | Beijing, CHN | |
| 3 | Men's Doubles Class 8 M | 2022 | Granada, ESP | |
| 3 | Mixed Doubles Class 7 X | 2022 | Granada, ESP | |
| 3 | Men's Team Class 4 | 2010 | Gwangju, KOR | |
| 5 | Singles - Class 4 | 2022 | Granada, ESP | |
| 5 | Singles - Class 4 | 2014 | Beijing, CHN | |
| 9 | Singles - Class 3 | 2010 | Gwangju, KOR | |
| 65 | Men's Open Wheelchair | 2010 | Gwangju, KOR | |
| European Championships | ||||
| 1 | Singles - Class 4 | 2023 | Sheffield, GBR | |
| 3 | Doubles MD8 M | 2023 | Sheffield, GBR | |
| 3 | Doubles XD7 X | 2023 | Sheffield, GBR | |
