From the rubble to the pitch: The miracle of earthquake survivor Görkem
Görkem Çakmak, a native of Hatay who lost his entire family in the February 6 earthquakes, the disaster of the century, experienced a miraculous rescue after being trapped under the rubble for 10 hours. Clinging to life through football, Görkem has returned to the pitch after 1.5 years.
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Amateur footballer Görkem Çakmak (21), a native of Hatay who was pulled alive from the rubble after being trapped for 10 hours following the collapse of his apartment building in Hatay during the earthquakes, the disaster of the century, has returned to the pitch after months of treatment.
The young goalkeeper, who lost his mother, father, and twin sisters in the earthquake, said, "I underwent treatment in Ankara and Mersin. My family's dream was to see me as a professional footballer. The moment I returned to the pitch after a 1.5-year break, my eyes searched for my family in the stands. Because they used to come to every one of my matches. I had emotional moments. I am a Galatasaray fan, and my biggest dream is to become a great goalkeeper like Muslera."
According to a report by Murat Karaman from Sabah newspaper, Görkem Çakmak and his family were living in a two-story building in the Samandağ district of Hatay when it collapsed during the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, the disaster of the century.
'MY EYES SEARCHED FOR MY FAMILY IN THE STANDS'
The young goalkeeper, who lost his mother, father, and twin sisters in the earthquake, said, "I underwent treatment in Ankara and Mersin. My family's dream was to see me as a professional footballer. The moment I returned to the pitch after a 1.5-year break, my eyes searched for my family in the stands. Because they used to come to every one of my matches. I had emotional moments. I am a Galatasaray fan, and my biggest dream is to become a great goalkeeper like Muslera."
Having undergone various surgeries due to injuries to both his feet and a back condition, Görkem experienced the excitement of stepping onto the green pitch he loves so much after 1.5 years.
The young footballer, who guarded the goal for Antakya Belediyespor in the Regional Amateur League before the earthquake, returned to the field with the Samandağ Municipality Traditional Inter-Neighborhood Tahsin Demir Football Tournament.