Paralympian #230 Matthew Britz and Paralympian #232 Wojtek Czyz were elated to both receive their official numbered pins from Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) in separate ceremonies on Friday-Saturday (11-12 April).
Numbered pins are presented to every Paralympian who represents New Zealand at the Paralympic Games with Matthew and Wojtek making their Paralympic debuts at Paris 2024.
Trailblazing Matthew, who became the first Kiwi Para table tennis representative at a Paralympic Games for 48 years in the French capital, began his table tennis journey at the age of eight.
Raised in New Plymouth, Matt, who has Bailey-Bloch Congenital Myopathy, was quickly enraptured for the rhythmic thrill of table tennis and after switching to Para table tennis at the age of 13 he discovered a sense of purpose and fulfilment in the sport.
Triumphant at the 2023 Oceania Table Tennis Championships in Honiara, Solomon Islands, he later earned selection for Paris 2024 in the Men’s Singles Class 7 event.
He performed with pride on his Paralympic Games debut going down to a narrow 3-2 defeat by Charlermpong Punpoo of Thailand – a much higher ranked opponent who would medal at the Games – in their round of 16 clash.
Coached by John Tuki, the 21-year-old US-based Para table tennis player said of receiving the award: “For me to receive my Paralympian pin is so cool, it almost feels like winning a medal in itself! I’m sure, I will cherish it, and it will be another moment to remember in my Para table tennis journey”.
PNZ CEO Greg Warnecke said: “It is always a privilege to be able to present another Paralympian pin to one of our ten debutants from Paris 2024. By receiving his pin, Matt joins a very special group of Paralympians.”
“Matt should also be immensely proud of his sporting journey so far. His match in Paris was widely viewed on the TVNZ coverage back in Aotearoa New Zealand, and there are so many more people talking positively about Para table tennis, or looking to take part, as a result of his performance.”
Wojtek, who received his Paralympian pin on Saturday at the Badminton North Harbour Centre, made history at the Paris 2024 by becoming the first Kiwi to compete in Para badminton at a Paralympic Games. A lower-leg amputee following a football accident at the age of 21, Wojtek went on to represent Germany, his country of birth, at three Paralympic Games from 2004 to 2012 winning seven Para athletics medals as a sprinter and long jumper – including four golds.
Retiring from Para athletics he later sailed around the world with his wife and son helping amputees to receive prosthetics. It was as part of this adventure he relocated to Aotearoa New Zealand and took up Para badminton in 2021. Rapidly rising to the top of his new sport domestically, he played his first international Para badminton in 2022 and won selection for Paris 2024. In the French capital, Wojtek performed with typical tenacity to finish equal seventh in the Men’s Singles SL3 event.
Wojtek, 44, said: “It is an incredible honour for me to receive my Paralympian pin. To represent my country at a Paralympic Games, and to be supported by a nation fills me with pride. The pin confirms my status as a New Zealand Paralympian forever. I am very proud.”
Greg Warnecke added: “Wojtek has enjoyed a remarkable Para sport journey and his transition into Para badminton is testament to his incredible versatility, competitiveness and belief in his athletic ability.
“At Paris 2024 he helped massively raise the profile of his sport in Aotearoa New Zealand and by receiving his pin he will be forever bound as part of an elite group of Paralympians.”
Matt and Wojtek were the final two members of the ten NZ Paralympic Team debutants to receive their Paralympian pins following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
For a full list of the NZ Paralympians go here.
