Turhan Göker

Turhan Göker
Personal information
Nationality Turkish
Born (1930-02-11) February 11, 1930
Education Robert College, Istanbul
Occupation Track and field athlete
Years active 1940s-
Sport
Now coaching Bulent Ulukut
Achievements and titles
Regional finals Balkan Games
Olympic finals 1952 Helsinki Olympics
Updated on 21 August 2015.

Turhan Göker (born February 11, 1930) is a Turkish track and field athlete[1][2] who, starting in 1949, represented Turkey as an athlete in national and international championships.[3][4]

Göker started in the juniors’ team of Fenerbahce Track/Athletics and soon broke the records for 800, 1,000, and 2,000-meters in the national championships for Turkey.

In 1949, Göker became the champion by winning the national 800-meters juniors’ of Turkey. In two weeks time after the championship, Fenerbahce Sports upgraded Goker into the seniors’ team despite Göker’s young age. Such progressive act by the Fenerbahce Sports executives was proved when Goker was announced as the champion of 800-meters nationals for seniors’ by 1’59’’2’’’.

Notable international appearances

Göker was equally capable in 800 and 1,500-meters track-field and in long-distance cross-country. These ensured that he became a very prominent athlete as he demonstrated his talent in these areas in various competitions. In addition to his success in track-field, Göker ranked first in Istanbul Cross-Country Tournaments, while having ranked 2nd and 3rd in National Cross-Country Championships.

In 1955 he started experiencing tendinitis, something he would never recover from. However, Göker continued practicing until the finish line in 3,000-meters steeplechase in 1956 when he retired.

Listed Below are Göker’s highest rankings
  • 400-meters ------------------------ 51.8
  • 800-meters ------------------------ 1.54.0
  • 1,500-meters ----------------------- 3.52.4
  • 3,000-meters ----------------------- 8.35.2
  • 3,000-meters Steeplechase ---- 9.49.2
  • 5,000-meters ------------------------15.15.2

Although the 3,000-meters steeplechase was Göker’s last competition, he continued being involved with athletics, including being a member of the Fenerbahce Sports Athletics and National Athletics Federation[7] and executive member to the statistical administration branch of the National Athletics Federation. In 1966, he was offered membership in A.T.F.S., The International Athletics Annual. He has also been contributing as a council member in the National Olympics Committee, the Fair Play Commission, the Turkey Sports Foundation, the Olympian Guild, the Fenerbahce Sports Club, the Hilal (Crescent) Sports Club and the Marmara Sailing Club.

After his high school graduation from Robert College, Göker continued his education at Law School in Istanbul University where he studied business and retired in 1992.

Goker’s wife, Ayla, whom he married in 1958 and had two children, supported Goker’s athletic career and interests.

References

  1. ↑ HELSINGIN SANOMAT MAGAZINE, 2002 HEINAKUU page 66, 67 ISSN 0780-0096
  2. ↑ ATLETIN SESI MAGAZINE, 1968 ISSUE MAY 1968 page 10, 11
  3. ↑ "Turkey at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Games". Sport-Reference. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "Athletics at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Games:". Sports-Reference. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  5. ↑ "Great Olympic Resource" (PDF). Neostrada PL. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  6. ↑ "1952 Helsinki Olympics". National Olympic Committee of Turkey. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  7. ↑ "Olympic List". Fenerbahçe Sports Club. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
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