SENTURK Gulkader

General
FATHER
Her father, who worked as a school teacher, died in a traffic accident while her mother was still pregnant. "It was destiny. That's why they named me 'Gulkader' [Rose Destiny]. I recognise my father from his photographs. Of course, I wish my father was still alive, but this is God's judgement. I promised my father I would be a teacher and a good athlete. Thank God I accomplished both.'' (kuzeyekspres.com.tr, 07 May 2018)

FAMILY SUPPORT
Initially her mother was not in favour of her pursuing a career in judo, but she began to change her mind when she recognised Gulkader's talent for the sport. "When I was eight years old I was a hyperactive kid. Martial arts were very interesting to me. When my friends said that they started judo, a judo course was opened in the gym of the [nearby] Mevlut Selami charity school. My family didn't want it at first, they thought that martial arts were more of a man's sport and a tough sport for girls. But then when I became successful and started winning medals, when I had the national anthem sung for my country, they said how right I was, and they approached more moderately and never gave up their support." (kuzeyekspres.com.tr, 07 May 2018)