In this article, we will talk about blind and visually impaired sportspersons who make everyone proud with their achievements. But First let’s take a look at the questions like do blind and visually impaired people do sports, what kind of sports they do?
Can blind and visually impaired people do sports?
Of course, blind and visually impaired people can do sports. Besides sports especially designed for blind and visually impaired people (goalball, futsal etc.) Blind and visually impaired people can do sports other people do with some precautions (chess, climbing, swimming, athletics etc.)
Now, let’s take a look at the lives of blind and visually impaired sportspersons in Turkey and in the world, who had notable achievements.
Kerim and Selim Altınok Brothers
Twins Kerim and Selim Altınok were born in Bakırköy, Istanbul. Twins, who lost their sight due to the disease Retinitis Pigmentosa, were introduced to chess at the age of 14. They represented Turkey in various countries. In 1984, Kerim Altınok won the chess championship in the law faculty of Istanbul university. In 1994, Selim Altınok managed to get a draw with that season’s champion Anatoliy Karpov in a demonstration match. They have achieved important achievements in countries like Poland and Spain. They have also had important achievements in the games that they played against sighted people.
Kerim and Selim Altınok brothers can play a game of chess in their minds without any pieces, and we can say that this is a very amazing talent.
Necdet Turhan
Necdet Turhan was born in 1953, in Balıkesir. As a result of his father’s designation, he completed primary school in Bursa. Necdet Turhan lost his sight at the age of 23.
Winning the Middle Eastern Technical University (ODTÜ), Necdet Turhan was interested in climbing. However, in his first year, he wasn’t accepted into climbing events. He didn’t give up anyway and joined the climbing trainings.
At the end of his third grade, he became an honorary member of the mountaineering club. In 1994, he climbed the mountains Bey and Erciyes. In the same year, he graduated from the university with an honour’s degree.
In 2005, he started the 5 continents, 5 marathons, 5 summits project and he finished this project in 2017. He participated in many marathons and in many summits around the world.
Eric Weihenmayer
Eric Weihenmayer was born in 1968. When he was 15 months old, he had a disease which caused him to eventually lose his sight. He was the captain of the wrestling team of the high school which he went.
He got a guide dog at the age of 16 and began rock climbing. In 2001, he became the first blind and visually impaired person to climb to the top of mount Everest. In 2006, he got as high as no blind and visually impaired person could go on the mount Everest with a group that was 9 people, including him.
Eric Weihenmayer proved that blind and visually impaired people can handle many seemingly difficult jobs by doing climbs like these.
In this article, we talked about the lives of blind and visually impaired sportspersons and their achievements which amazed everyone. As the BlindLook team, we continue to support blind and visually impaired people in every field of life, including sports.
Author: Fatih Yüksek / BlindLook Team
