Anton Kol

Started: He began swimming at age 12 in Dnipro, Ukraine. (Athlete, 26 Mar 2015) Reason: He was among a group of students from a boarding school who were taken to a pool, but the coaches did not think he had talent. He was determined to learn to swim, so he accompanied friends when they went swimming in the river and lake. He usually stayed on the edge of the water, but one time his friends pushed him into the water from a catamaran. "I stayed afloat. I wanted to live. That's why I stayed afloat." (fakty.ua, 15 Sep 2016) Ambition: To win gold at the Paralympic Games. (Athlete, 16 Mar 2021) Awards: In recognition of his performance at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he received the Order for Courage [second class] in Ukraine. (zakon.rada.gov.ua, 16 Sep 2021) He received the Order for Courage [third class] in Ukraine in recognition of his performance at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (president.gov.ua, 04 Oct 2016) He holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Ukraine. (mms.gov.ua, 28 Dec 2022; Athlete, 05 Mar 2020)