World Junior File Holder Kuzey Tuncelli Headed to Texas Longhorns
Kuzey Tuncelli has introduced he’ll be part of the College of Texas.
The Turkish world junior champion, 18, made his announcement on social media, and Texas confirmed that Tuncelli has formally signed with the varsity.
“I’m excited to share a significant step in my profession and my life. I’m honored to announce that I will likely be becoming a member of the College of Texas for the following chapter of my journey. I wish to thank Bob Bowman, Erik Posegay, and all the Texas household for giving me this chance. My deepest gratitude goes to my coach Aykut Çelik, my membership Fenerbahçe, our Federation, and all of our workers — the individuals who performed an enormous position in getting me thus far and who will proceed this journey with me. An extended journey awaits us. Sending my love and respect to everybody who’s been with me and to all sports activities followers!” Tuncelli wrote on Instagram.
Tuncelli broke the world junior report within the 1500 free as a 16-year-old within the Paris Olympic ultimate. He swam a time 14:41.22 within the largest race of his profession at that time, ending fifth, simply one-and-a-half seconds away from a podium end. He additionally completed eleventh within the males’s 800 free (7:47.29). Later within the 12 months, Tuncelli would choose up his first senior-level worldwide medal with bronze within the 1500-meter free on the Brief Course World Championships.
Tuncelli is coming off of a powerful efficiency through the summer time 2025 season. On the World Championships, he completed sixth within the 800 freestyle (7:46.01) and 1500 freestyle (14:52.44). He broke the Turkish report throughout prelims within the 800 (7:45.13). He was even sooner within the 1500 free on the European Junior Championships, going 14:45.05 to win gold for the third consecutive 12 months. He additionally received gold within the 800 freestyle in 7:46.01 and took the bronze within the 400 free (3:49.50). To conclude his run, Tuncelli swept gold medals within the 800 and 1500 free on the World Junior Championships, defending the wins he beforehand earned in 2023.
Now 18, Tuncelli might be part of the Longhorns’ roster as quickly as subsequent fall, giving him one season of overlap with mid-distance and particular person medley specialist Rex Maurer. The Longhorns not too long ago obtained a verbal dedication from rising American mid-distance star Luka Mijatovic, who will be part of the workforce in 2027. Tuncelli is predicted to right away contend for particular person NCAA titles, notably within the 1650-yard occasion.
