Roza Kozakowska

Started: She took up Para athletics at IKS START Zdunska Wola. (onet.pl, 26 Sep 2020) Reason: She took up athletics as a child and took part in non-Para competitions for children. When her condition worsened she was introduced to Para athletics by coach Wojciech Kikowski. "Without sport I would not be here anymore. Sport is my life, my strength, my fight, my motivation. It's the beautiful side of my life." (onet.pl, 26 Sep 2020; tvp.pl, 08 Sep 2020) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (pytanienasniadanie.tvp.pl, 08 Mar 2024) Awards: In 2023 she received the Giants Without Limitations award from Polska Press in Poland. (nowiny24.pl, 30 Oct 2023) In January 2022 she received the Sport Without Barriers award from Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy. (tarnow.naszemiasto.pl, 11 Dec 2022; przegladsportowy.onet.pl, 08 Jan 2022) In 2021 she received the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in recognition of her achievements at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (tarnow.naszemiasto.pl, 11 Dec 2022) Additional Info: DISCIPLINE SWITCH She focused on long jump earlier in her career, placing fourth in the T38 long jump at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She later switched her focus to throwing disciplines, and won gold in the F32 club throw and silver in the F32 shot put at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "I started with long jump. Then I was almost at the top, and suddenly I was back at the bottom due to illness. I tried shot put. I told myself I wouldn't give up. As long as I have the strength to fight and get up, I will do anything." (tarnow.naszemiasto.pl, 11 Dec 2022; dziendobry.tvn.pl, 04 Sep 2021; tvp.pl, 08 Sep 2020) DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD When she was younger she and her mother were abused physically by her stepfather, who was eventually imprisoned for his actions. "He punished me for everything, including my sport achievements. He beat me senseless. I remember that once I returned home very proud with a cup that I had won in a competition and when he saw it he told me that he wanted to end my sport career and beat me, but he didn't stop me. Someone up there in heaven didn't allow that and I was still able to compete. Sport has always put some light of hope in my life." (onet.pl, 25 Nov 2020, 26 Sep 2020; tvp.pl, 08 Sep 2020; pomagam.pl, 01 Jan 2020)