Hamide Dogangun

Started: She played wheelchair basketball for two years before switching to Para athletics in 2007 in Istanbul, Turkiye. (yenisafak.com, 10 Mar 2020; Athlete, 09 Nov 2019) Reason: "My family told me to go out and start doing sports. At first I was afraid, perhaps because of society's point of view on people with impairments. But as I began and won medals, the sport became a part of my life." (skor.sozcu.com.tr, 10 Mar 2020; Ihlas News Agency YouTube channel, 13 Jul 2019) Additional Info: MOTHER'S INFLUENCE She credits her success in sport to her mother. "She has been my mother, my friend and my teacher. After the accident, she was the light in my dark life. I didn't want to leave the house and, thanks to her, I got acquainted with sports and began competing in various championships. She took care of me without ever showing any sign of boredom. Most of my success belongs to her. She's always present at my races because, when she can't go overseas, she is still with me with her prayers." (bagcilar.bel.tr, 23 Nov 2020; Athlete, 09 Nov 2019)

Sporting Relatives: Her husband Nevzat Dogangun is a former horse racing jockey in Turkiye. (Facebook profile, 10 Dec 2023; hurriyet.com.tr, 23 Oct 2017)