Furkan AKAR

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
As a child, he would put plastic bags over his shoes to skate on frozen streets in his hometown of Erzurum. When he first went to an ice rink at the age of nine, he was not accepted by the skating school because he did not have the right equipment. He watched training every day and eventually the coaches gifted him a pair of skates. "It has been challenging because skating is not a popular sport in our country. However, now it is getting more popular and known. Today in Erzurum, there are ice rinks of a quality you don't find in many European countries. All of these are important for our success. My biggest dream is to see our flag in the air and hear our national anthem at the Winter Olympics." (sabah.com.tr, 17 Feb 2019)

POST-CAREER PLANS
Wants to become a coach after he finishes competing. (sporx.com, 24 Mar 2021)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

Finished sixth in the 1000m at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Became the first Turkish short track speed skater to compete at the Olympic Winter Games at Beijing 2022.

Bronze medallist in the 1500m at the 2019 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Sarajevo.