2023 will at all times be remembered because the annus horribilis of years in over a century by the Turks. Whereas the nation lifts itself after a devastating earthquake and a sequence of aftershocks, it has left a scar on many. Rabia Topuz is one such. The 22-year outdated has been honing her boxing expertise for six years and had certified for the World Boxing Championships in Delhi for the primary time. She was 5 weeks from boarding the flight to India, when on sixth February, an Earthquake measuring 7.8 on ritcher scale razed her residence in Malatya within the Japanese Anatolian area of Turkey.

“At that second we began to consider how we will escape, how we will save our lives. We ran out within the bitter chilly even with out footwear,” remembers Rabia.

5 members of her household had been left homeless in bitter chilly and chilly winds. Regardless that they survived staying within the household automotive for 10 days, it was life in hell. The household continues to stay in a tent in Malatya. Her father, a dealer has misplaced his enterprise and all his means. They depend on assist from the authorities 10 days after dwelling within the automotive, Rabia joined the nationwide camp.

“Earlier than becoming a member of the nationwide camp, life was very dangerous, the homes had been destroyed, and everybody was staying outdoors in tents. The climate was chilly and it was raining,” says the 50 Kg flyweight boxer.

Attending to the nationwide camp was not straightforward. She was sponsored and facilitated by a Good Samaritan who was serving to the Earthquake hit households.   

Rabia is grateful for her escape

“Because it was an earthquake zone, plenty of brothers had come to assist us. We defined our state of affairs. One among them agreed to assist me get to the camp and that was the largest assist.”

Although her greatest bout was attending to Delhi, with barely 10 days of follow. Nevertheless, Topuz misplaced within the first spherical on the opening day of the competitors.

“I will not give any excuses, however it was troublesome for me to regulate. It was simply not my day”.

Regardless of the trauma of the quake and her loss in New Delhi, Topuz says she hasn’t misplaced motivation. Her dream is to beat Nikhat Zareen sometime, as she bins in the identical weight class because the Nizambad boxer.

For the 11-member Turkish group, it has not been a simple trip to New Delhi, Rabia’s was significantly troublesome.

The story of the 22-year outdated is one in every of spirited combat, grit and willpower. And she’s going to want a great deal of them as she prepares to return residence, rebuild her life, whereas additionally getting in prime form for the Paris Olympics subsequent yr.