Inspired by 'Dangal', Turkish father encourages daughters to pursue boxing

The 2016 movie "Dangal," which narrates the story of an Indian father who encouraged his daughters to step into the male-dominated sport of boxing, because he had no son, has turned into an actual story in Türkiye.

Osman Bozkurt, a boxing coach, said that he had always dreamt that he had a son who would also become a boxer like him.

However, Bozkurt was blessed with daughters and decided to raise them as boxers instead.

The boxer shared his happiness when his eldest daughter Latife exhibited interest in boxing and wanted to wear gloves and enter the boxing ring.

Debunking the contrary idea that only men belong to the boxing ring, Bozkurt trained his daughters to excel in the field and set an example that there's nothing that girls can't achieve.

"Boxing is not a sport like fighting, hitting and breaking, as it seems from the outside. Boxing also has scientific aspects, such as physiology, psychomotor, anatomy, nutrition, communication, technique, tactics, perception and the sport involves quick decision-making. Most branches actually contain these features within themselves," the coach explained.

Bozkurt, who raised his four daughters as boxers, said that they could relate to the Indian movie Dangal, released in 2016, orbiting around the story of a father in India who made his daughters pursue wrestling because he had no son.

"We watched that movie many times with family. As we watched it, we realized we had similar problems to the ones they experienced. I also experienced the father's effort to get his daughters accepted by society as wrestlers when I brought my daughters into boxing. We watched some parts of the movie crying. In fact, when we encounter problems while dealing with this sport with my daughters, we watch the movie Dangal again. Thus, similar problems happen everywhere, so we comfort ourselves and seek encouragement," Bozkurt said.

'Dangal taught me not to give up'

Bozkurt's eldest daughter, 28-year-old Latife Bozkurt, said she pursued boxing because she was hyperactive and won the Turkish championship shortly after starting this sport in middle school.

Latife said that she took a break from boxing for a while after she got married, but returned to the sport that she missed very much to continue the achievements she had left unfinished.

Latife noted that she and her father struggled a lot in this field and that she aimed to become the world champion in boxing, which strengthened her return.

Sharing that she has two children, one boy and one girl, Bozkurt said: "I would be delighted if my children, whom I want to direct to whatever sport they are talented in, turn to boxing like their grandfather and mother."

Latife could find an uncanny resemblance and relatability with the film Dangal as she saw many aspects of herself while watching Dangal.

"The movie Dangal taught me not to give up," she concluded.

Source: Newsroom & AA