Host nation Türkiye laid down another marker in its growing influence on the international stage as Hazal Burun and Emircan Haney became the new European compound champions at the 2026 European Outdoor Championships.
For Burun, who won bronze at the last edition in 2024, it was an especially significant moment.
The 21-year-old became the first Turkish woman to win the European compound title, following a line of recurve champions that includes Gulnaz Coskun, Yasemin Anagoz and three-time winner Natalia Nazaridze.
“I’m still so excited right now,” said Burun. “I fought until the very end. I’m so happy that I won. This is what I’ve been working toward, and we’ve been working toward it for a long time.”
“Becoming European Champion here in Antalya, that was part of my dream. I set it as my goal, worked towards it and achieved it.”
Burun led from the start against Denmark’s Tanja Gellenthien, but the experienced Dane fought back and capitalised on a pair of nines in the third and fourth ends to level the match heading into the final end.
Burun held her nerve to close out victory and secure her first major senior outdoor individual title.
