Katarzyna Patrycja Kozikowska

Started: She took up Para canoe sprint in May 2017. (pzkaj.pl, 21 Jun 2020; paralympic.org.pl, 2020) Reason: She competed in Para swimming before she was encouraged to switch to Para canoe sprint by her husband, as well as Polish Para canoeist Jakub Tokarz. "After nine years in the swimming pool and failing twice to qualify for the Paralympic Games, I decided that it was a time for a change and I tried canoeing. In 2017 I went to the first training with [coach] Dawid Nowacki, I was his first Para athlete." (paralympic.org.pl, 02 Jan 2021, 2020) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Instagram profile, 31 Oct 2023) Additional Info: FROM SWIMMING TO CANOEING After competing in Para swimming for nine years, she took up Para canoe sprint in 2017 with a view to competing in the sport at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "I had many achievements on the national and international stage in Para swimming, but I didn't manage to qualify for the Paralympics. After my second attempt to qualify for the Paralympic Games, I had a breakdown. Training didn't give me as much joy as before. I was feeling that I attended it mostly to not disappoint my loved ones, who believe in me. When I said to my parents that [Polish Para canoeist] Jakub Tokarz called me and encouraged me to try canoe sprint, they said I was crazy. They couldn't understand how it was possible that I could leave swimming after so many years for a new sport. Fortunately, I went for my first canoe training with my fiance, he helped to make the decision. Going to canoe training, I wasn't starting from zero. I had a great endurance base [from swimming] and I had a straight head. I can only thank my swimming coach Wojciech Seidel for preparing me so well for canoeing." (magazynsportowiec.pl, 20 Jun 2019) INSPIRING OTHERS She is passionate about helping others who have undergone an amputation. "I am a person who wants to show that impairment is not an obstacle in living life to the fullest. I am very happy that, through my attitude, I can inspire others. I want to show people with an impairment to not stay at home, but to go out to people and enjoy life. I show people [before amputation] that amputation can save lives, which is precious. I often show my prosthesis and talk how life looks after surgery, giving people an example that amputation is not the end." (magazynsportowiec.pl, 20 Jun 2019)