Merve Dinçel is a gold medal winning taekwondo athlete from Turkey. Merve posted a series of photos on Instagram on her training, captioned “Korea diaries: Wake up, train, eat, train, sleep, repeat #WinnerSpirit.” In this brief video on social media, Merve shows a little peek into what it takes to maintain her strength and athleticism at that level, keeping her at the top of her game.
She works towards her goals, staying driven and motivated. “Life is limited by our dreams. The bigger your dreams are, the more endless the path you will take will be. I have fallen many times on this path and sometimes thought about giving up, but I have always stood tall. I have followed my dreams and will continue to do so. Today, I have faced the best in the world here and achieved one of my biggest goals. After Europe, I have won the title of World Champion. I am now a World Champion. Let this medal be a gift to the women and girls of our country who follow their dreams and never give up. I would like to thank my family, my fiancée, my trainers, the Turkish Taekwondo Federation, my team IBB Sports Club and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for all their support. A special thank you to our beautiful people. I am so glad you exist, your support is very valuable to me. To new goals,” she said on Instagram (translated to english).
She knows that things won’t always go her way, and works through them. “I am actually very hot-headed. No matter what the subject is, I show my feelings right away. But this time, I felt like taking a deep breath first. I experienced the pride of representing my country at the Olympic Games, which I had dreamed of for years. I had set off for Paris with great hopes. The goal was a medal. It didn’t happen this time. After my World and European championships, I will work hard to put an Olympic medal around my neck. I will do this by doing what I know best: Fighting. I would like to thank everyone who is by my side and supports me. A special thank you goes to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Turkish Taekwondo Federation, TMOK, my club IBB Sports Club, my valuable teacher Ali Şahin, Emre Hoca who was with me from the beginning to the end of this long journey, Mehmet who took on the duty of brotherhood on this difficult path, and my biggest supporter, my husband Ferhat, who is with me under all circumstances, I would like to thank him infinitely,” she said on Instagram (translated to english).
She believes in herself. “Dream. A person who doesn’t know how to dream is no different from a person who doesn’t breathe. I’ve always dreamed. First I believed in my dreams, then my family believed in me. With their support, I became the Merve I am today. Remember, the most precious gift you can give a child is to believe in them,” she said on Instagram (translated to english).
She knows confidence is an important factor when it comes to success. “Believing. Walking confidently against obstacles in your path. The key to everything I have achieved so far. #WinnerSpirit #TrustYourPotential,” she said on Instagram (translated to english). According to Psychology Today, “the more confident you become, the more you’ll be able to calm the voice inside you that says, “I can’t do it.” You’ll be able to unhook from your thoughts and take action in line with your values.”
She works on her mental strength, as much as the physical. “Sometimes you have to look your best on your worst day. Yesterday was such a day for me. I went out on the tatami with you in my heart, I kicked with your support. Because I know you have always believed in me and you continue to believe in me. I wanted to give you another gold medal but it didn’t happen. Don’t worry Sıla, I will do my best for us to get to the top of the podium together. Congratulations on our second place in Europe,” she said on Instagram (translated to english).