Osmancık, Çorum, Turkey – – Nalan Kaygın secured both a bronze medal in singles and a gold medal in doubles at the Turkish Deaf Badminton Championships. Partnering with Hale Nur Küçüksevgili, Kaygın dominated the doubles competition, adding to her individual success in the singles event.
Kaygın, a 32 or 33-year-old athlete born in , has established herself as a prominent figure in Turkish deaf sports. Her journey extends beyond badminton, having previously competed as a national deaf curler and occasionally participating in deaf athletics as a middle and long-distance runner. This versatility highlights her dedication and athletic prowess across multiple disciplines.
Her badminton career began at the age of twelve, and she has since become a national champion multiple times. She has represented Turkey at major international competitions, including the Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey. At the Samsun Deaflympics, she achieved her best ranking to date, finishing fifth in the women’s doubles with Esra Zeynep Ergincan.
Kaygın’s commitment to badminton continued with participation in the European Deaf Badminton Championships in Trenčín, Slovakia. More recently, she competed at the Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan, following a performance at the Turkish Indoor Deaf Athletics Championships in Istanbul, where she ran the 400m. She also participated in the singles event at the European Deaf Badminton Championships in Brno, Czech Republic, though she did not advance to the semifinals.
Beyond badminton and athletics, Kaygın was a member of the Turkey women’s national deaf curling team at the Winter Deaflympics held in Erzurum, Turkey. This demonstrates her adaptability and willingness to embrace different sporting challenges.
Currently residing in Eskişehir, western Turkey, Kaygın is congenitally hearing impaired. She transitioned from DSİ Bentspor to Türasaş SK, the sports club affiliated with her employer, further solidifying her dedication to her athletic pursuits while maintaining professional commitments.
Her recent success at the Turkish Deaf Badminton Championships underscores her continued growth and competitive spirit. The gold medal in doubles, alongside Hale Nur Küçüksevgili, is a particularly notable achievement, showcasing a strong partnership and tactical synergy. The bronze medal in singles further demonstrates her individual skill and resilience.
Kaygın’s participation in the Eskişehir Half Marathon in , where she ran the 10km event for the deaf, highlights her broader involvement in the deaf sports community and her commitment to promoting inclusivity through athletic achievement. Her story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance and dedication in overcoming challenges and achieving success on multiple fronts.
The athlete’s consistent presence on the national and international stage, coupled with her diverse sporting background, positions her as a key figure in Turkish deaf sports. Her continued participation in events like the Deaflympics and European Championships ensures she remains a prominent representative of Turkey’s deaf athletic community.
