The Üstünkaya family from the central Anatolian province of Eskişehir is making a name for itself by collecting medals at local and international arm-wrestling competitions. The Üstünkaya saga began when the father, Kaya, decided in 2009 to compel his son Taha, 22, to go to the gym to lose some weight. Taha's trainer, Şener Arslan, found him to be a natural arm-wrestler, sending him to local and international competitions. Soon, the whole family was accompanying him.
The mother, Nurhan, 43, inspired by her son's determination and success and with her husband's encouragement, took up the sport in 2014, winning medals in Turkish, European and world championships.
The young daughter, Zeynep Sude, 14, also took up the sport two years ago and is hopeful to repeat her brother and mother's success.
Nurhan said she was just a housewife when she started practicing arm-wrestling. "I traveled with him to competitions and saw women my age competing. My husband kept saying, 'You can beat them.' With his encouragement, I started doing the sport three years ago and became third in the first Turkish championships I joined. Three months later, I won the European silver medal for the left and right arms. Later, I became the champion in Turkey. I am practicing to become the world champion."
She said the only topic of conversation at home was arm-wrestling. "My husband keeps a tab on me so he does not miss a training session. We eat protein-rich food and constantly watch our weight. Everything at home centers on sports."
The first Üstünkaya to open the gate, Taha, said he won the silver medal at the first competition he attended after training to become an arm-wrestler in 2009.
"I later became the champion of Turkey. In my first European championship in Lithuania, I came sixth. I later studied physical education at the Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. When I first arrived in Burdur, no one knew of arm-wrestling. I've started to train new athletes."
The youngest arm-wrestler in the family, Zeynep Sude, said she was inspired by her brother and mother. "At the first championships I participated last year, I did not win a medal. Later, in Eskişehir, I came second and in the latest Turkish championships I came fourth. My aim is to become the champion of Turkey and participate in international competitions."
The only member of the family not to take up the support, father Kaya, said: "It has become a family thing. I am proud to be the father and the husband of athletes who are winning medals for Turkey."
