OUR STUDENT, OUR PRIDE: Exclusive Interview with Sıla Irmak Uzunçavdar

Sıla Irmak Uzunçavdar, our student who successfully represents our country in national and international arenas with her athletic identity while steadfastly pursuing her academic journey, is a powerful example of the supportive and understanding academic environment offered by Istanbul Gedik University to student athletes. Our university’s approach of supporting students who pursue active sports careers without interrupting their education enables Sıla to advance both her athletic and academic goals simultaneously. In this special interview, we spoke with our student Sıla Irmak Uzunçavdar about her journey into sports at a young age, her understanding of discipline, her goals, and how she balances university and athletics.

1. Your introduction to sports dates back to a very early age. How did this journey begin?
I am Sıla Irmak Uzunçavdar. I was introduced to sports at a very young age; I embarked on this journey when I was only 3 years old. The fact that sports were central to my family’s life naturally drew me into this world. What started as play at that age gradually turned into a disciplined training routine and professional goals. Sports were never just a discipline for me; they became a way of life that shaped my character, perspective, and attitude towards life.
2. How did the sports culture from your family influence your career?
The sports culture from my family was a huge advantage for me. Having a family of athletes allowed me to understand the meaning of discipline, hard work, and consistency from a very young age. Discussing sports at home, normalizing goals, and accepting failure as naturally as success mentally strengthened me greatly. This culture is one of the most important building blocks of where I am today.
3. How did the international successes discussed within your family shape your goals?
Hearing about worldwide successes within my family from a young age made dreams seem achievable rather than distant. Gaining the feeling that “it can be done” at an early age always pushed me to set my goals higher. These successes inspired me rather than pressured me; I grew up seeing firsthand that hard work pays off.
4. What do state subsidies mean to you as a national athlete?
The subsidies provided by the state to national athletes are a great source of strength, both financially and emotionally. These subsidies make me feel that I am on the right path and increase my sense of responsibility. At the same time, they encourage me to work in a more disciplined and planned manner, with the awareness that I must make the best use of these opportunities. My motivation to represent my country in the best possible way is always my priority.

5. What does “success” mean to you?
Success for me is not just about medals or rankings; it’s about developing steadily and becoming a better version of myself than I was before. Discipline, faith, and consistency are the three essential elements of this journey. Being able to keep working even when motivation is low is the true sign of success. I believe in progressing toward long-term goals with small but solid steps.
6. Have there been times when you struggled or thought about giving up?
Of course, there have been times when I struggled. The most important thing that kept me going in those moments was remembering why I set my goals. My family, my coaches, and the responsibility of representing my country have always been a strong source of motivation. When I thought about giving up, remembering where I started and how far I had come got me back on my feet.
7. What were your reasons for choosing Istanbul Gedik University?
One of the most important reasons I chose Istanbul Gedik University is the supportive and understanding academic environment it provides for student athletes. Being able to continue my education without interruption while pursuing an active sports career is possible thanks to the flexibility and academic support offered by the university. The educational approach that combines theoretical knowledge with practice helps me develop both my athletic and academic identities in a balanced way. In this sense, Gedik University is a strong companion on my journey toward my goals.
8. Can you tell us about the people who support you the most in your academic life?
One of the people who supports and guides me the most in my academic life is my professor, Tuğçe Yeşilçimen. She is a very valuable role model for me with her approach that understands my identity as an athlete and supports my academic process accordingly. Her constant motivation, solution-oriented approach, and guidance have increased my academic confidence. In addition, with the contributions of other valuable professors at the faculty, I have the opportunity to continuously develop myself both academically and personally.
9. What did being at the Presidential Complex mean to you?
Being at the Presidential Complex and meeting with our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was a great honor and source of pride for me. This visit was a powerful demonstration of how valuable sports and athletes are for our country. It was also a very special experience that increased the responsibility I carry and strengthened my belief in my goals and my motivation.
10. What do you think is the secret to being both an athlete and a student?
The most fundamental key to being both an athlete and a student is disciplined planning and effective time management. I plan my training and class schedules in advance, taking care not to neglect either area. The discipline, sense of responsibility, and goal-oriented approach that sports have given me are a huge advantage in my academic life as well. Thanks to the understanding and supportive environment that Istanbul Gedik University offers to student athletes, achieving this balance has become more sustainable for me.
11. What are your future goals?
My most important goal for the future is to take my athletic and academic careers to the highest level simultaneously. While aiming to represent my country in taekwondo on the international stage and at the Olympics, I also want to advance my academic career to higher levels with the opportunities offered by Istanbul Gedik University and progress as a competent and well-equipped academic in my field. In the long term, I aim to utilize the knowledge and experience I have gained to contribute to the development of sports in my country.
12. What would you like to say to young people who are just starting out on this path?
My most important advice to young people who are new to sports or want to progress in this field is to be patient. Success does not come overnight. You need to believe in yourself, work diligently, and never give up. Every challenge makes you stronger. Trust the process.

FOLLOWING IN ATATÜRK’S FOOTSTEPS, WE STAND BY OUR ATHLETIC STUDENTS

The words of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of our Republic, “I love athletes who are intelligent, agile, and also ethical,” form the basis of our university’s perspective on athletic students. In line with this understanding, we were delighted and proud to welcome our student Sıla Irmak Uzunçavdar, who proudly represents our university with both her academic and athletic achievements, to the rector’s office, hosted by Istanbul Gedik University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Feriha Erfan Kuyumcu. As Istanbul Gedik University, we are determined to continue standing by our athletic students who add value to their country, are disciplined, goal-oriented, and responsible.