Turkish freediver Yasemin Dalkilic was diagnosed with a pancreas tumor and underwent surgery 5 days ago in her native homeland of Turkey.
Yasemin’s trainer, Rudi Castineyra, reports that she is fine and recovering very well after her surgery. She is still in the hospital, but will be cleared to go home in the next couple of days. According to Castineyra, who is with her in Turkey, the operation went without incident. It lasted 5 hours and surgeons were able to remove the tumor from her pancreas without any complications. Tests confirmed that the tumor was benign.
Dalkilic was scheduled to attempt two records this July, but this will interfere with those plans. Yasemin’s goal is to start training again as soon as she is fit to do so according to Castineyra and he hopes to have her back in diving shape before the end of the year.
"On Yasemin’s behalf and myself’s, I want to thank the many friends that have shown concern and wished her well, I am sure that their positive energy was one of the reasons she is doing well now. Thanks also to David Lee, who was to attempt his new world record together with Yasemin in July and has now delayed his event until she is ready to dive again together, he is truly a great friend."
