The Inspiring Journey of Visually Impaired Turkish Para-Powerlifter Gülistan Özdemir

Gülistan Özdemir, a Turkish para-powerlifter, cannot see the scene in front of her, but she clearly sees her goal. Born blind in the right eye and with progressive corneal damage in the left, she has turned physical limitations into motivation to conquer sporting heights. At 36, she is one of the world's most accomplished visually impaired lifters, with four world records and multiple medals. Starting her career at Gaziantep Club, Özdemir trained hard despite her vision impairment. "When I started, I didn't know how far I could go. But I always set high goals and never gave up," she says. Representing Turkey, she won gold at the European Championships and silver at the World Championships. In 2026, she set four world records in the 60 kg category: two in bench press, one in squat, and one in deadlift. Unlike well-funded professional athletes, Özdemir faces severe financial difficulties. "I have financial difficulties. Traveling to training and competitions is expensive," she admits. Her deteriorating eyesight also requires a corneal transplant, which she will undergo as recommended by her doctors. "I am waiting for the eye transplant. After that, I will recover and continue pursuing international tournaments," she says. Family is her strongest pillar. "My family supports me in every way," she shares emotionally. Without institutional sponsorship, her parents and relatives have accompanied her throughout her nine-year elite career. Their silent sacrifice is the energy that helps her overcome every barrier. Beyond being an athlete, Özdemir is a social activist. She calls on visually impaired people to engage in sports: "Don't let physical defects stop your dreams. Sports give us strength, confidence, and opportunities for inclusion." She also serves as a role model for Turkish women, proving that women can reach the pinnacle of strength sports. Currently studying Sports Coaching at Ankara University, she plans to become a coach post-retirement. Her immediate goal is to win a medal at the 2026 World Championships. Despite the upcoming surgery, she remains optimistic: "I will get healthy and continue winning medals. Just wait and see." Gülistan Özdemir's story is not just about medals. It's about turning darkness into light, weakness into power. In a sports world often driven by money and fame, the image of a visually impaired female lifter overcoming adversity is a powerful reminder of the true spirit of sports. She proves that no limit is unbreakable if you have faith and willpower.