Florian van Acker

Started: He took up the sport in 2007 at TTC Freetime Zonnebeke in Belgium. (florianvanacker.be, 01 Sep 2019) Reason: Previously involved in judo, karate, horse riding, swimming and basketball, he was encouraged to begin playing table tennis by his friend and neighbour William Claerbout. "I caught the bug. I couldn't live without table tennis anymore. I was selected for provincial competition and began weekly training with Jo Willems." (florianvanacker.be, 01 Sep 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (nieuwsblad.be, 23 Dec 2022) Awards: In 2017 he received the Badge of Honour from the Flemish Government in Belgium in recognition of his gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (radio2.be, 11 Jul 2017) Additional Info: MEDIA ATTENTION After he won gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro he began to receive increased media attention, which he says he does not enjoy. "I don't need that. I do my sport and that's all. Fame doesn't interest me. Interviews are not for me, but unfortunately it is part of it. I can hardly tell the reporters that they should not speak to me. What are they going to say?" (sporza.be, 10 Mar 2020) FROM ROMANIA TO BELGIUM Born in Romania, he spent his early years in an orphanage and with a transitional foster family. He was adopted by Belgian couple Dora Debedts and Eric Van Acker at age three. (paralympic.org, 02 Apr 2023; autismeurope.org, 28 Oct 2016)