Visually impaired athlete Gülistan Özdemir: 4 world records and a journey through adversity

Her name is Gülistan Özdemir, 36 years old, from Gaziantep, Turkey. A woman born blind in her right eye, with her left eye's cornea progressively damaged. Yet it is her hands and strength that made history: 4 world records in para-powerlifting – two in benchpress, one in squat, and one in deadlift. From childhood, Özdemir faced declining vision. "My right eye was born blind. Over the years, the vision in my left eye has also been fading," she shares. Doctors recommended a corneal transplant, but she waits until the spots "completely increase" before undergoing surgery. The operation is still pending, and Özdemir hopes it will improve her sight, allowing her to train and compete better. Her sporting journey began in 2026. From a local club athlete, she quickly rose to the national team. To date, Özdemir has won gold at the 2026 World Championship (Mersin), the 2026 European Championship, and multiple silver medals at other international events. In 2026, she set four world records simultaneously – a rare achievement in the 60 kg category. "I always set high goals and never give up," she says. However, success did not come easily. Özdemir admits: "I have financial difficulties. Traveling between home and training is very hard. I rely on my family's support." Her family is a solid pillar – husband, children, and relatives encourage her daily. Despite the hardships, she persists with her passion. Özdemir does not compete only for herself. She calls on other visually impaired people to take up sports: "Don't let disability stop you. Sports bring confidence and strength. Believe in yourself!" She is proud to be a female athlete representing Turkey and hopes to inspire the younger generation. Her next target is the upcoming world championship. "I will regain my health and continue winning medals," she asserts. The story of Gülistan Özdemir is a testament to human will overcoming adversity – not on the football pitch, but on the lifting platform, where true strength is measured by heart and mind.