Being a boxer in agri:A qualitative research on the experiences of elite sportsmen

"If I can see ahead of other humans, it is because I am standing on the shoulders of giants," says Isaac Newton, referring to the scientists who came before him. The sport rises in layers just like a tower. Each floor, each generation rests on the previous floors. The tower constantly rises upwards. Athletes from all branches have seen ahead of their competitors by benefiting from the experiences of previous athletes. This situation has increased the success rate of the athletes. This study aims to conduct a qualitative analysis of elite athletes' experiences doing boxing as performance athletes in Agrı. Another aim of the research is to provide inspiring experiences to elite athletes engaged in the sport of boxing, to contribute to the national field of Sports Sciences in the unique field of boxing sport, to lay the groundwork for the dissemination of the sport of boxing in our country and to set out the basic principles that are thought to ensure the development of the quality of national team athletes. Twenty elite boxers, coaches, and managers aged 18-60 who have performed or exhibited in the boxing branch in Agrı province constitute the working group of the research designed to use the in-depth interview method. During the interview, participants were asked 20 open-ended questions aimed at revealing the experience of boxers from Agrı who remained buried in Turkish boxing. The data obtained were subjected to content analysis, and concepts that were close to each other were transformed into codes and themes. As a result, based on the themes created in this research, it was found that being a boxer in pain carries the value of representation for athletes, has a professional value, has a future and career value professionally, provides the athlete with the value of social support in society, increases success and individual reputation, strengthens the physical, cultural and personal development of athletes, increases physical, social and holistic well-being, and gives the ethics of athletes. It has been determined that the perceived difficulties associated with boxing in Agrı stem from the inadequate nutrition of the athletes, the lack of preparation matches, the inadequacy of the facilities, the harsh and long winter season, and the evaluation of boxing as a weight sport. The findings also revealed that boxing has a gender context in the province of Agrı.