The 37th Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race, organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK), has concluded. The 6.5-kilometer course, which started in Kanlıca and ended at Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park, was dominated entirely by Turkish swimmers in the overall standings. In the men’s general category, Doğukan Ulaç claimed first place with a time of 56 minutes 49 seconds, while 15-year-old Su İnal won the women’s general category with a time of 58 minutes 54 seconds.
M. Ferhat YÜKSEL
The race brought together nearly 2,800 swimmers from 81 countries. The men’s general classification saw fierce competition. Ulaç, who had already won the title three times before, clocked in at 56 minutes 49 seconds to secure his fourth victory as the fastest across the Bosphorus. He was closely followed by Gökhan Yiğitoğlu, just one second behind, while Mehmet Çağlar took third place with a time of 58 minutes 18 seconds.
15-YEAR-OLD SU İNAL TAKES THE WOMEN’S TITLE
In the women’s general category, Su İnal broke through as the winner, finishing in 58 minutes 54 seconds. Eylül Nisa Ayçetin followed in second place, completing the course in 1 hour 1 minute 13 seconds, while Hilal Zeyneb Saraç claimed third place with a time of 1 hour 2 minutes 21 seconds.
FOURTH VICTORY FOR ULAÇ
Delighted after his triumph, champion Doğukan Ulaç said, “This was my tenth participation. Last year, I finished second, but this time, I managed to reclaim the first place. I’m very happy.” Su İnal, who competed for the first time last year and finished third, expressed her excitement over winning this year’s title: “Being alone in the magnificent waters of the Bosphorus is simply incredible.”
A FAMILY RACE
Dutch Ambassador to Türkiye Joep Wijnands also joined the race with his children, Arthur, Claire, and Sebastiaan. Speaking about his third participation, he said: “We started together and finished together. We truly turned this into a family event. For me, traveling all the way from the Netherlands to experience this with my three children was unforgettable. It is something very special that I will never forget in my life. Today, our only goal was to swim and reach the finish line together. We achieved that, and I am very happy.”
