📩 26/06/2023 13:44
Megisti Kaş Swim Race, which is held every year at the end of the International Lycian Kaş Culture and Arts Festival, took place for the 17th time this year. Record-breaking swimmers met in Kaş, which has hosted many civilizations from ancient times to Lycians, from Turkish communities to Byzantines, with the slogan of “Peace and Friendship”. The challenging race, which started in the early hours of the morning from Megisti/Meis Island, the closest piece of land to Greece, ended in Kaş after a 7-kilometer track. In the Megisti Kaş Swim Race where 16 athletes from 193 countries participated, Aybike Su Irçağ became the youngest athlete in the women's race with a time of 1:46:34, Kathryn Haesner was the second with a time of 1:57:32, and the Ironman champion Sera Sayar was the third with a time of 1:59:53. In men's men, the winner was Emre Erdoğan with a time of 1:37:42 and Spyros Chrysikopoulos with a time of 1:38:01. The Turkish and Greek athletes, swimming for friendship and entering the top two, hugged at the end of the race and had warm moments. World Record Holder 61-year-old Ahmet Nakkaş finished third in the race with a time of 1:39:15. Hasan Gökhan Kotan completed the race in 3 hours 22 minutes and 30 seconds and became the first swimmer with Down syndrome to swim 7 kilometers in the world.
The swimming race organized by Rossist Event, which has made a name for itself with the sports organizations it has signed and proudly represents our country in many international branches, has come to an end. The fight against the current and waves in the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean was followed with enthusiasm by the sports enthusiasts. 193 top athletes from Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Georgia, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Japan, Macedonia and Russia, especially from Turkey, Greece, USA, England and Australia, competed for the first place. Under the main sponsorship of Kaş Municipality and Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş, with the support of TR Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kaş District Governorship, Turkish Swimming Federation and Turkish Sports Writers Association, the unique race, co-sponsored by MK Group and sponsored by MEKVIN Hotels, received full marks from the authorities once again. took.
Megisti Kaş Swim Race started with great excitement
At the starting point of the race, which started in the early hours of the morning, the swimmers were welcomed by local and foreign press members and sports lovers. The start of the race was given by the Mayor of Kaş Mutlu Ulutaş, who stands out with the importance he gives to sports and athletes, Yavuz Gürhan, Antalya Provincial Director of Youth and Sports, and Polat Dede, Founder of Rossist Event. The athletes who finished the race in the top 3 swam in the same level and completed the race. In the race where the hot weather was effective, the athletes challenged the waves. Athletes who fought fiercely for the first place came to the finish point at the same time.
Polat Dede, Founder of Rossist Event, conveyed his thoughts about the race; “After an intense race, we welcomed our athletes in the deep blue waters of Kaş. Before this beautiful race, to Meis Mayor Samsakos Yorgos, Kaş Municipality, Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş, TR Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kaş District Governor's Office, Turkish Swimming Federation, who gave special support to our race on the day of the Greek general elections. I would like to express my gratitude to the Turkish Sports Writers Association, MK Group and MEKVIN Hotels. "I congratulate all our athletes," he said.
16 athletes from 193 countries swim for "Peace and Friendship"
16 athletes from 193 countries participated in the race, which was started from Megist/Meis Island, the closest land piece to Kaş in the Mediterranean sea, like an aquarium. Among the athletes, Aysu Türkoğlu, the youngest Turkish athlete to cross the English Channel, 100 meters Freestyle 60-64 Age World record holder Ahmet Nakkaş, ultra-marathon swimmer Bengisu Avcı and Ironman Champion Sera Sayar also took part.
Hasan Gökhan Kotan, a swimmer with Down syndrome, broke new ground in the world…
One of the aspects that made the unique race special was the struggle of Hasan Gökhan Kotan, an athlete with down syndrome. Hasan Gökhan Kotan went down in world history by swimming 7 kilometers and reaching Kaş in 3 hours 44 minutes and 30 seconds. Those who saw Gökhan, who was greeted with applause on the pier, had emotional moments.
The champions of the waves in the turquoise waters of Kaş
One of the first spots that come to mind when it comes to holiday, Kaş, which attracts tourists from all over the world every year, hosted a unique race. The winner of the Megisti Kaş Swim Race, which was the scene of exciting moments and was held for the 17th time this year, has been announced. In men, Emre Erdoğan became the first person to land in 1 hour 37 minutes and 42 seconds. Spyros Chrysikopoulos took the second place with a time of 1 hour 38 minutes 01 seconds. Finally, Ahmet Nakkaş finished the race in third place with 1 hour 39 minutes and 15 seconds. Aybike Su Irçağ, the youngest athlete in the women's race, reached the pier in 1 hour 46 minutes 34 seconds. Kathryn Haesner was in second place with 1 hour 57 minutes 32 seconds, and Ironman champion Sera Sayar was third with 1 hour 59 minutes 53 seconds.
An award ceremony was held at Kas Cumhuriyet Square.
After the breathtaking race, the award ceremony took place in Kaş Cumhuriyet Square, one of the iconic spots of Antalya. The names who completed the race in the top three received their awards. The winners were given their awards by the Mayor of Kaş Mutlu Ulutaş, Antalya Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Yavuz Gürhan, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of MK Group Kemal Gürsoy and Deputy Mayor of Meis Nicolas Asvestis.
The winners of the race, where the fathoms were thrown for "Peace and Friendship", are as follows:
Megisti Kaş Swim Race Women Top 3:
1- Aybike Su Irçağ, 1 hour 46 minutes 34 seconds
2- Kathryn Haesner, 1 hour 57 minutes 32 seconds
3- Sera Sayar, 1 hour 59 minutes 53 seconds
Megisti Kaş Swim Race Men Top 3:
1- Emre Erdogan, 1 hour 37 minutes and 42 seconds
2- Spyros Chrysikopoulos, 1 hour 38 minutes 01 seconds
3- Ahmet Nakkaş, 1 hour 39 minutes and 15 seconds