Cavit Biriz, student at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), who started windsurfing as a hobby at the age of 9, improved himself and worked his way up to the Turkish National Team, leaving one step to the "Olympic" dream. Biriz, who got  special permission from Turkish Sailing Federation to train 6 hours every day even during curfew with the goal of joining the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, and strictly abode by the list prepared by the Polish dietitian, will represent our country in the Olympics if he surpasses his opponents in the Quota Competition to be held in Portugal on November 24. Biriz said, “I would very much like to take part in the Olympics by overtaking my competitors again that I have left behind before and that I am ahead of in the world rankings.”

Cavit Biriz (22), who has been interested in water sports since his childhood and is a sea lover, started to be interested in windsurfing at the age of 9 with the guidance of his family. Biriz's talent, who was taking lessons from the best coaches, was noticed in a short time. Biriz, attracting attention with remarkable success achieved nationwide, was elected to the Turkish National Team in 2012. Continuing his success even after becoming a national athlete, Biriz won the first place in the youth category in 2015 and 2016, and then in the general category for three years consecutively. Having caught a hard-to-reach series, Biriz has set his goal as "Olympics" in windsurfing, which he has been continuing for 12 years. Biriz, who is studying at the Department of Business Administration at Izmir University of Economics at the same time, had to wait another year to achieve his goal after the Olympics were delayed due to Covid-19.

HE WILL GO INTO THE CAMP ON NOVEMBER 2

The postponement of the competition planned to be held in March 2020 and the introduction of curfews during this period did not discourage Biriz from fulfilling his dream. With special permission from Turkish Sailing Federation, Biriz continued to cycle, run, and perform sea training for a total of 6 hours every day. Strictly abiding by the list prepared by the Polish dietitian specifically for him, Biriz further improved himself. He has completed all preparations for the Quota Competition to be held in Portugal on November 24 with the participation of 10 countries. Biriz, who decided to go to Portugal on November 2 to enter the camp, is quite ambitious to get an Olympic visa by passing his rivals.

I CYCLE 70 KILOMETERS

Saying that he has been preparing for the Olympics for a long time, Biriz pointed out that the best athletes from every country can participate in the competition. Biriz said, “Under normal circumstances, the Olympics would be held this year. But the pandemic changed all plans. When the Olympics were postponed to 2021, the preparation process was prolonged for me. During the period we had difficulties due to the pandemic, I had to continue the training despite all the negative conditions. I did not leave Izmir thinking that I would be prepared more easily. I cycle 60-70 kilometers every morning. Then I jog for two hours. Finally, I continue my training at sea. Windsurfing is a sport that requires fitness and you need to keep yourself vigorous. Therefore, I was very careful about it.”

TRAINING AND CLASSES AT THE SAME TIME

Biriz continued as follows: “While I was preparing for the Olympics, I didn't want to disrupt my education at the university. The distance education opportunity provided by our university has been a great advantage for me during this period. I attend classes in the time remaining after training. Thanks to the recording system, I can watch the repetition of the lessons whenever I want. I got very close to my Olympic goal. My competitors are of course very strong. After all, everyone wants to participate in the Olympics. However, I believe that I will surpass my competitors that I passed before. My family, my coaches in the national team, my academics and friends supported me a lot. I hope I will return from Portugal with an Olympic visa.”