Muratli: “I am going to retain my title in Eger”

“I am going to retain my European title in Eger,” Muratli said. “I don’t see anybody as competition to myself. I am fully concentrated on my regular and disciplined trainings.”

Turkish powerlifting sensation Nazmiye Muratli, previously Muslu, has sent a clear message of intent to her rivals ahead of the 2015 IPC Powerlifting European Open Championships which get underway on Tuesday (24 November).

The world, European and Paralympic champion will face competitors from across the world at the biggest European Open in the sport’s history in Eger, Hungary, but was not shy in showing her confidence.

“I am going to retain my European title in Eger,” Muratli said. “I don’t see anybody as competition to myself. I am fully concentrated on my regular and disciplined trainings.”

Muratli has been dominant in the women’s up to 41kg for some years. The 36-year-old holds a bronze medal from the 2005 European Championships and a gold from 2007 as well her most recent achievements from London 2012, the 2013 Euros and 2014 World Championships.

However in 2015 Muratli lost her world record to China’s Zhe Cui, who she will face in Eger for the first time this year. The competition, which will be shown live at IPC Powerlifting’s website between 24-28 November, will be a good indication for fans of what to expect at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Muratli views Eger 2015 as just one stop on the road to Rio – an opportunity to gauge her own progress while competing in an international setting.

“I see the European Championship as a cornerstone to the Paralympics,” Muslu said.

In Eger she will practice every detail of competing, down to her pre-lift music.

“Before the competition, I listen to music to relax, and mentally I concentrate myself to fill up my energy and motivate my ambition,” she said.

After the Euros, Muratli will turn her focus solely to training for Rio. At the 2016 Paralympic Games, she aims not only to secure gold, but also to reclaim her world record in the process.

“My goal is to retain my title at Rio 2016,” Muslu said. “After the European Championship in Eger, I will continue my heavy training schedules to break the record and to be Paralympic champion for the second time.”

Muratli is still the one to beat – and with the support of her coaches, Semih Ceyland and Ali Gokgoz, she will hope to continue her winning ways.

The 2015 IPC Powerlifting European Open Championships will feature more than 230 powerlifters from 44 countries searching for titles and Paralympic ranking points.

It is the third regional Championships to be held in 2015, following the first Americas Open in Mexico City and the Asian Open Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.