Tunceli, Türkiye - The world of rafting turned its eyes to the heart of Turkiye this past week as the Yeşilay Rafting Türkiye Şampiyonası successfully concluded on the vibrant waters of the Munzur River. From March 26th to 29th, the city of Tunceli transformed into a hub of high-stakes competition and sportsmanship, hosting a vital event for the national and international rafting community.
Tunceli is no stranger to the world stage, having famously hosted the World Rafting Championships in 2019. The return of a major championship to these legendary rapids reinforces the Munzur River's status as a premier destination for whitewater sports. This year, the competition served as the critical national team selection for the upcoming World Championships and World Cup in Pau, France.
The event saw an impressive turnout, featuring 220 athletes representing 18 clubs and 49 teams. Under the technical guidance of Gürkan Köse (General Coordinator) and Hamza Dereci (Technical Committee President), the competition was supported by a dedicated staff of 300, including referees and security personnel.
"This competition was a milestone for both Turkiye and Tunceli" stated Gürkan Köse, expressing his gratitude to the stakeholders and the public who lined the banks of the Munzur River to cheer on the paddlers.
Four days of intense competition that tested every facet of the athletes' skills. The competition across all categories was fierce, with several clubs dominating their respective divisions - check out the results in link above!
As the Tunceli Governor Şefik Aygöl noted, the success of this event reinforces the growing importance of rafting in the region. With the national team now coming into focus, the World Rafting Federation looks forward to seeing the Turkish qualifiers bring this same level of passion and precision to the worldwide stage in France.
Congratulations to all participating athletes and the Turkish Rafting Federation for a world-class event!
@worldrafting
