Turkey’s world and European champion kickboxer Gözde Bayergi Arican has recently started practicing boxing with the intention of taking part in the 2012 London Olympics and winning an Olympic medal in boxing.

Arican, who became a gold medalist at the European Kickboxing Championship last year in Baku, pointed out that kickboxing is not an Olympic sport and that she has won every possible honor in this branch.

“I also won a golden belt in the World Championship in June 2010 in Gebze. This honor showed me that I am at the highest level in this sport. Unfortunately kickboxing is not an Olympic sport. Therefore, I have changed my branch and have decided to train for boxing, which is the closest [Olympic] sport to what I know best, kickboxing,” the 24-year-old athlete told the Anatolia news agency.

She has been training in the boxing ring for about three months with hopes of making history at the upcoming Olympics.

“I don’t regret my decision, and I have received support from everybody. I want my name to be written in history. I am working with determination to prepare to first get on the national boxing team and then to represent Turkey at the 2012 London Olympics. Taking part in this event will enable me to crown my career with an Olympic title.”