Table tennis player Göktuğ Onur, who has Down syndrome, is swinging a racket to join the national team.

Göktuğ Onur, the eldest of the three children of the Onur family living in the Güzelyalı Neighborhood of the central Çukurova district, was born with Down syndrome.

Göktuğ, whose family took a close interest in everything from his education to his health, was noticed to be talented at table tennis at the private rehabilitation center he went to.

With the encouragement of his family, Göktuğ started taking up this sport two years ago and continued his studies.

Göktuğ, who studies at Recep Birsin Özen Secondary School, came in second in Türkiye in the table tennis tournament held by the Turkish Special Athletes Sports Federation (TÖSSFED) in Adana on July 14.

During this period, Göktuğ participated in school sports competitions organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports School Sports Department and TÖSSFED, and achieved various degrees there.

Göktuğ, who continues to train three days a week with his coach Gökhan Karakoç at the Ayas Bizim Çocuk Sports Movement Center within the Private Seyhan Bizim Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, aims to win the TÖSSFED Table Tennis Tournament to be held in 2026 and wear the national jersey.

Göktuğ Onur told an AA reporter that he wants to represent Türkiye in the national team jersey.

Explaining that he enjoys playing table tennis, Göktuğ said, "I love table tennis. I want to be the champion in Türkiye and get into the national team."

Mother Ayşe Onur said that her son became more social thanks to table tennis.

Göktuğ's mother, Onur, explained that he wants to join the national team in table tennis, a sport he loves, saying, "Göktuğ is a child who loves to succeed. He's been able to do anything he wants since he was little. I followed Göktuğ's path to table tennis without giving up. Success requires struggle; you need to stand firmly behind your child. I will stand firmly behind my son, and we will succeed."

Mother Onur stated that her son goes to his training sessions with excitement and has become much more disciplined.

Calling on families with children with special needs, Onur said:

"I advise you not to lock your children up, but to pave the way for them. I never locked Göktuğ up at home. I did my best. I went wherever both the doctors and teachers directed me, and I'm glad I did. If I had locked my son up at home, he wouldn't have achieved anything; he succeeded because he was active. Our current goal is to make it to the national team."

Table tennis coach Gökhan Karakoç stated that Göktuğ is a good example of encouraging the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in sports.

Explaining that Göktuğ is very talented in table tennis, Karakoç said:

Göktuğ is quite talented for an athlete with Down syndrome. The coaches he worked with before me put in a great effort. He came with a strong foundation. We're trying to build on that and take him even higher. Like all special children, Göktuğ possesses courage and self-confidence. He's realizing what he excels at and learning how to win and lose. This also affects his social and family harmony.