Kemal Aksur

Kemal Aksur — Biography

Kemal Aksur (1923-2001) was a Turkish athlete best known for his exploits as a sprinter. Racing for Fenerbahçe, he won numerous Istanbul and Turkish national titles and set a long-standing Turkish record in the 200 metres with a time of 22.4 seconds.

In 1947 he won gold in the 200 metres for Turkey at the Eastern Mediterranean Cup in Athens. The following year he represented Turkey at the 1948 London Olympics as part of an 83-strong delegation, finishing fourth in his heat in the 100 metres and fifth in his heat in the 200 metres, missing out on both finals; he also ran in the Turkish 4x100 metres relay team, which was disqualified in its heat.

Aksur was equally accomplished in handball, winning three consecutive Istanbul championships with Fenerbahçe between 1943 and 1946 and helping the club finish as national runner-up behind Harp Okulu in 1945. He died in Istanbul in 2001.