TWO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDERWATER

Eskişehir Metropolitan Sports Club Underwater Imaging branch national athlete Erkan Balk and his diving partner Akın Bağcılar made a new history by winning two gold medals in two different categories at the Underwater Imaging World Championships in Albania.

Shining like a star in the middle of the steppe, Eskişehir brought another historical success to our country in water sports. CMAS 20th Underwater Photography and 6th Underwater Video World Championships were held in Saranta, Albania between October the 7th and 12th, 2024.

In the championship held with the participation of 19 countries, Eskişehir Metropolitan Sports Club Underwater Imaging branch national athlete Erkan Balk and his diving partner Akın Bağcılar achieved a historical success after hard and long-lasting work.

Balk and Bağcılar won the gold medal in the “Video Film Category” and the gold medal in the “Documentary Video Category” and became world champions. In the CMAS 19th Underwater Photography and 5th Underwater Video World Championships held in Cuba in 2023, Balk and Bağcılar, who represented our country with the title of national athlete for the first time, had our National Anthem read on the 100th anniversary of our Republic.

Erkan Balk and Akın Bağcılar, who continued their world championships this year, made our country feel this pride for the second time by raising our Turkish flag and having our National Anthem sung once again in Albania.

Congratulating the athletes for their historic success, Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce said, “Our Eskişehir, shining like a star in the middle of Anatolia and the steppe, continues to break new ground in every field and give strength to our country. The historical success of our Eskişehir Metropolitan Sports Club Underwater Imaging branch national athlete Erkan Balk and his diving partner Akın Bağcılar in Albania made us all proud once again. I congratulate our athletes, national team, technical team, club and all those who contributed to the world championship with two gold medals.”