TurkeyBiography
Kenyan-born Turkish distance star. She is outstanding both in track and XC, crowned as multiple European Champion. Yasemin is only athlete who takes four consecutive crown in European Cross Country seniors women title.
She discovered by a Turkish manager (Onder Özbilen) and then-collaborated coach Carol Santa in very young age as she has never contested in a competitive race.
Obtained Turkish citizenship in 2015. Started to compete internationally for Turkey. Immediately she got double-gold in Amsterdam to noticing all authorities. In Rio 2016, she competed 5000m and 10,000 metres final, finished within the top eight in both races. Broke European U23 record in 10,000 meters in Rio.
Yasemin secured a medal nearly all championships she contested for Turkey with the exception London 2017 World Championships.
She's training in Eldoret and (sometimes) Istanbul.
TRIVIA
♦ Her name is frequently confused with another Turkish distancer Yasemin Can (now Can-Arslan, born in 1992). Even some road results of Yasemin Can-Arslan (including simultaneously attended Amsterdam 2016 European Champs) mistakenly added to her.
♦ Elvan Abeylegesse is one of her role models. She already broke some of her Turkish records in age groups and now threats long-standing 5000m record (14:24.62).
♦ Member of ENKA Club. Won several Turkish League and European Club titles with the club.