"My friend Klopp is a big fan of the Paralympics."
Retired from three Paralympics, Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, and London in 2012, 'Disabled Athletics Legend'Voitech Caij (44, New Zealand) made a comeback to the Paralympic stage as a badminton player for the first time in 10 years. In addition, the news that his long-time best friend, former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, will cheer for him in the stands has emerged as the best hot issue at the Paris Paralympics.
The Polish-born, talented young footballer suffered a serious knee injury and had to amputate his left leg just days after signing his first professional contract with German club Fortuna Cologne in 2001. Around this time, he met Klopp, who started his coaching career after retiring as a player, and became friends. Three years later, at the 2004 Athens Paralympics, Tsai stood tall as a Paralympic star, winning gold medals in the 100m, 200m and long jump for the German Paralympic Games. Having represented Germany in international competitions for more than a decade, he has continued his activities to help amputees without prosthetic legs. After retiring as an athlete, he bought a boat with his wife Elena and spent five years sailing around the world to help the amputee living on a remote island. "We were convinced that there was a need for help around the world, especially for amputees living on islands with poor access. A prosthetic technician was brought in and lived together on a ship for three weeks, making prosthetic legs, teaching patients how to walk, and his wife was in charge of sports education. He took a local man on board and taught him how to repair his prosthetic leg if it broke down. We aimed to provide modern, everyday aids to people who have no aids at all. I was happy to change their lives by providing aids to 90 amputee people for five years." "We headed from Germany to New Zealand. It was an amazing time when we were able to help and influence"I looked back.
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His challenge did not stop there. Chaiz, who retired as a Paralympic sprinter and long jumper in 2013, chose to go to New Zealand in 2019 and began his badminton career in 2021. "In New Zealand, it is difficult to get support for sports for the disabled or to build infrastructure," Chaiz said. I heard that you were lucky to be able to participate in the Paralympics with great support in Germany"At that time, I wanted to show that anyone was possible. I decided to start an event that I like but have never competed in a competition and chose badminton. "I started with nothing. Two and a half years ago, people thought 'What the hell is he doing?' I became a professional badminton player in two and a half years. Now I represented New Zealand for the first time in para-badminton, where I will compete with the world's best players on the world's best stage at the Paris Paralympics. I'm so proud." In two and a half years, Chaiz challenged for the wheelchair badminton SL3 weight class at the Paris Olympics, saying, `I want to support a new generation in New Zealand, Oceania, and show that if you have a passion for sports, you can succeed even if you start from nothing" expressed his aspirations. "Like other projects, a lot of people have said 'This is crazy, this is impossible, no one has ever done it before' but a lot of others are 'Amazing. I showed you that it's possible if you really work hard' also told me. I feel really good when I hear that I'm inspired, so that someone doesn't see me and give up. What an honor..." he smiled.
As a Paralympic gold medal legend, Chaiz took on a new challenge as a rookie, not a favorite, saying, `I'm a rookie in badminton. I'm enjoying the part. I will make sure that all the spectators will see me fight my best for all the points and leave my fighting spirit on the court. "It will never be easy to deal with me. Everything is possible," he said, expressing confidence.
He longed for the moment when he met his old friend Jurgen Klopp in the stands of Rachapel Arena, where the disabled badminton match will be held. "I'm so happy to meet him. We talked a lot about the Paralympics. He is a big fan of the Paralympics. It will come to see what people can achieve and how tough competition is. He'll enjoy being there and I look forward to putting on a great show for him."
Chaiz will play his first game at the Paris Paralympics against Daniel Bethel of Great Britain in the men's singles group qualifying round for badminton at Rachapel Arena at 7:30 p.m. on the 29th. He will then face Ukraine's Oleksandr Kyrkov at 5:30 p.m. on the 30th. Finding Coach Klopp in the stands is also a fun point for sports fans.
