Sümeyye Boyacı (born 2003, Eskişehir) is a national Paralympic swimmer. She was born without both arms and with a hip dislocation condition. From an early age, she learned to write and draw with her feet and began swimming training.

Education

After completing primary and secondary school, she attended Etiler Social Sciences High School and graduated with distinction. She continued her university education at Koç University in the Department of International Relations. Sümeyye Boyacı developed her artistic talent in painting and created illustrations for the Turkish translation of Alexander Pushkin’s book “The Golden Fish,” which was presented to then President Abdullah Gül. In 2009, her watercolor works were exhibited in Moscow, and in 2014 she participated in an exhibition featuring ebru art.^【1】

Beginning of Swimming Career and Achievements

During a visit to an aquarium, Sümeyye Boyacı saw fish swimming without arms and was inspired to begin her swimming career in 2008. In 2013, she trained under coach Mehmet Bayrak, and in 2016 she participated in the 30th International Germany Swimming Championship in Berlin, marking her first international competition. At this event, she won a gold medal in the 50-meter backstroke Junior B S5 category but was eliminated in the 100-meter breaststroke S6, 50-meter freestyle S5, and 50-meter butterfly S5 categories.

She also competed at the 2016 Paralympic Swimming World Championships in Mexico City, participating in four events. ^【2】

Sümeyye Boyacı (Anadolu Ajansı)

At the 2018 Paralympic Swimming European Championships in Dublin, she competed in the 50-meter backstroke S5 category and won a gold medal. In May 2019, she participated in the Paralympic Swimming World Championships in London and finished second in the world, narrowly missing gold by three seconds. ^【3】

In 2022, she represented Türkiye at the World Para Swimming Championships held on the island of Madeira, Portugal. In the 50-meter backstroke S5 category, she won a gold medal and became world champion.^【4】

At the 2023 Paralympic Swimming World Championships in the United Kingdom, she won a bronze medal for Türkiye in the 50-meter backstroke and qualified for the PARIS 2024 Paralympic Games.^【5】

Sümeyye Boyacı and Sevilay Öztürk with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan(Republic of Türkiye Communication Directorate)

At the PARIS 2024 Paralympic Games, one of the world’s largest sporting events, she reached the final and represented Türkiye. In the 50-meter backstroke S5 final, she recorded a time of 43.30 seconds, finishing fourth and becoming an Olympic fourth-place finisher. In 2024, she also represented Türkiye at the European Para Swimming Championships held on Madeira Island, Portugal, winning a bronze medal in the 50-meter backstroke S5 category.

Documentary on Her Life

Sümeyye Boyacı, who has received praise and recognition from various political figures for her achievements, has a documentary titled “Kulvar” released about her life. The premiere event attracted not only her family and supporters but also several well-known personalities, including Murat Aksu, then President of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee, Onur Kırcı, Deputy General Manager of Allianz, and her coaches.^【6】