Andela Muzinic Vincetic

Started: She took up the sport in 2008 in Croatia. (Athlete, 27 Jul 2016) Reason: Before her accident she played volleyball. After her injury she was encouraged to get involved in table tennis by Croatian Para table tennis player Helena Dretar Karic. "During my rehabilitation I initially played sitting volleyball, as I hoped that I could continue with my first love, volleyball. I was invited to try Para table tennis by Helena, who is now my teammate. I rejected her invitation, but she didn't give up, so I went to watch her train. I was still not convinced and remained focused on volleyball. But later, the president of a club in Split [Croatia] visited my school and invited me to the club. I have been a member ever since." (24sata.hr, 28 Jun 2019) Ambition: To win a singles medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (direktno.hr, 01 Jan 2022) Awards: She and swimmer Dino Sinovcic were Croatia's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (medias.paris2024.org, 28 Aug 2024) She and her doubles partner Helena Dretar Karic were named Team of the Year for 2023 and 2021 by the Croatian Paralympic Committee. The pair also received the award for Best Team of the 20 years between 2000 and 2020 from the Croatian Paralympic Committee. (unisport.hr, 02 Feb 2024; varazdinske-vijesti.hr, 03 Feb 2022; 24sata.hr, 21 Mar 2021) She was named Female Para Athlete of the Year for 2023 in Zagreb, Croatia. (zagreb.info, 15 Dec 2023) She was named Female Para Athlete of the Year for 2022 and 2018 by the Croatian Paralympic Committee. (hpo.hr, 31 Jan 2023; crosport.hr, 01 Feb 2019) In 2017 she received the Franjo Bucar State Award for Sport from the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. (hpo.hr, 17 Jan 2017) In 2016 she received the Order of Danica Hrvatska with the face of Franjo Bucar from the president of Croatia. (hpo.hr, 16 Dec 2016) Additional Info: ATHLETE COUPLE She met her husband, Croatian Para swimmer Kristijan Vincetic, at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. "He had shoulder surgery before the Games and was not fully ready to compete. But since he had secured a spot, he went to the Games anyway. He likes to joke, he would tell me that swimming was not his focus there, but charming me. We understand each other when one of us is focused on competition, or when one of us is away from home. I think it helps us a lot that we are both top athletes. I have learned much more from him than he has from me." (Instagram profile, 03 Dec 2023; tportal.hr, 25 Nov 2023; dalmacijadanas.hr, 26 Jan 2021; sportnedjeljom.hr, 19 May 2020)

Sporting Relatives: Her husband Kristijan Vincetic represented Croatia in swimming at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Paralympic Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 14 Dec 2023; Instagram profile, 03 Dec 2023)