Birkan Uzun has become the first Turkish Cypriot to reach the peak of Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

The mountain is 4.892m in height.

The 28-year-old Uzun, originally from Güzelyurt but who lives in Seattle, USA opened up a TRNC flag at the summit to celebrate his achievement.

Speaking to the TAK news agency, Uzun said that climbing Mount Vinson was the fifth summit he had conquered as part of the 7 Summits Mountaineering Project.

The project involves climbing the seven tallest peaks in all of the seven continents.

“I am very proud to have been able to open the TRNC flag at the very top. I would like to thank everyone at home,” he said.

Uzun who shared a video from his camp on the mountain drew attention to the international embargoes imposed on the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people.

“Whatever your goal is, you can achieve it if you put your mind to it. The embargoes cannot prevent this,” he said.