Turhan Göker

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

Early life and career

It was Göker’s high school years in Robert College of Istanbul, which initiated Turhan Göker’s career as a national athlete. During the May 19 festivities, the sports holiday, Göker’s girlfriend insisted on him entering the tracks for the track-field tournament and Göker came first in the tracks that day, winning the competition. After training with Bulent Ulukut, Göker had a record ranking in the traditional cross-country championship of Robert College in 1946. Göker’s performance in the cross-country grabbed the attention of Sadun Ozdede, the team manager of Fenerbahce Sports, Athletics/Track team.

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

• 1952 Helsinki Olympics^[5][6]
• 1954 Bern Euro Athletics Championship
• 1955 Barcelona International Mediterranean Games
• 1953 Balkan Games
• 1954 Balkan Games
• 1955 Balkan Games

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