31 May 2024

Wojtek Czyz: the Paralympian making history

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 31 May 2024
Paralylmpic badminton player Wojtek Czyz

Photo: Paul Foxall

Wojtek Czyz was just 21 years old when a football accident resulted in him losing his lower leg. Now he's set to make history as the first ever para badminton player to represent New Zealand at the Paralympics in Paris later this year.

He's a four-time Paralympic champion, having competed as a sprinter and long jumper for his home country of Germany. After retiring, he sailed around the world with his family for five years, making prosthetics for amputees in developing nations.

Wojtek Czyz is also a five-time world record holding para freediver. Finally settling in New Zealand, he took up badminton.