Melek Özdil (born 1916) was a Turkish rower for Fenerbahçe Rowing in Istanbul. She was one of the first female sport rowers in Turkey.

Private life

Melek Özdil was born in

Istanbul Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...

, then

Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...

, in 1916. She had two sisters, Ftnat (1910–1993) and Nezihe (1911–1984). After graduating from the Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, she worked at the Sümerbank, from which she later retired.

Sports career

She started her

sport rowing Rowing, sometimes called crew in the United States, is the sport of racing boats using oars. It differs from paddling sports in that rowing oars are attached to the boat using oarlocks, while paddles are not connected to the boat. Rowing is di ...

career entering the watersports branch of

Altınordu İdman Yurdu Altınordu İdman Yurdu were a Turkish sports club based in Istanbul, Turkey. Founded in 1909 under the name Progres FC, the football department of the club became champions in the Istanbul Football League in the 1916–17 and 1917–18 seasons ...

in Istanbul. She was coached by her older sisters. She soon transferred to Fenerbahçe Rowing. She became one of the first female sport rowers in Turkey along with Vecihe Taşçı and her two sisters. She and her teammates were known as unrivaled in

coxless four A coxless four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars, without a coxswain. The crew consists of four rowers, each having one oar. There are two rowers on th ...

rowing, and won multiple times Istanbul and Turkish championships. She was also successful in

coxless pair A coxless pair is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars. The crew consists of a pair of rowers, each having one oar, one on the stroke side (rower's right h ...

rowing. She was winner of the Prime Minister Cup with her partners.

References

1916 births Possibly living people Sportspeople from Istanbul Istanbul University alumni Turkish economists Turkish female rowers Fenerbahçe Rowing rowers {{Turkey-rowing-bio-stub