Paralympian #232 Wojtek Czyz is currently enjoying an invitation to watch the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and, during his time in Italy, has embraced the opportunity to connect with the NZ Paralympic Team.
German-born Wojtek represented his native country as a Para sprinter and jumper, winning seven Paralympic medals across three Paralympic Games before later relocating to Aotearoa New Zealand. Taking up Para badminton in 2021, he went on to represent his adopted homeland in the that Para sport at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where he placed a highly creditable seventh in the Men’s Singles SL3.
Invited by a sponsor to attend Milano Cortina 2026, he has warmly welcomed the chance to catch up with the NZ Paralympic Team – including attending a friends and family function.
“I’m super happy to have seen the Paralympians in the Athletes’ Village and I’ve enjoyed spending time with the Team, talking sport and having some fun,” says Wojtek. “It has been nice to be a fan, shouting and cheering, and super nice to see our Paralympians compete.”
Czyz, a lower-leg amputee following a football accident aged 21, admits he has huge admiration for all Paralympians, but particularly Winter Paralympians, who are regularly called upon to show immense resilience.
“I have the greatest respect for Winter Paralympians,” he says. “They are not only managing a disability, but also managing transport and equipment, some in wheelchairs in the snow. It is simply incredible. This is something summer Paralympians don’t have to deal with quite as much.”
Today Wojtek divides his time between living in Aotearoa New Zealand and spending lengthy periods working as a consultant for Deutsche Sporthilfe (according to Wojtek a similar equivalent organisation to High Performance Sport NZ). His primary role is to liaise with companies to enable athletes (both disabled and non-disabled) to best prepare for life in the workplace following their retirement from sport.
It is a role Wojtek is passionate about fulfilling.
“For me, it is important to adopt a holistic approach to better prepare athletes for their post-athletic career,” he explains. “Studies have proved that many athletes struggle massively following their sporting career and often, when they finish, they have nothing to fall back on. Many athletes have personally reached out to me on this and that is why it is such an important issue to address.”
Wojtek works with companies to promote the value athletes bring to the workplace, recognising the highly motivated, dedicated and committed mindset developed through high performance sport. He then works with those organisations to help smooth the pathway for work opportunities either during or following the completion of their sporting careers.
“For me it is a win-win situation,” adds Wojtek. “The athletes receive the benefits of helping prepare for their future and the company can employ athletes who, by their very nature, can be of great value to them. It is simply beautiful to see the athletes develop relationships with the companies and have a chance at a second career.”
On a personal level, the two-sport Paralympian has maintained his fitness and satisfied his highly competitive nature through the sport of Para standing tennis. Last year he reached the quarterfinals at the World Para Standing Tennis Championships and later this year he hopes to compete once again at the event.
Yet whatever happens in the future, Wojtek now firmly calls Aotearoa New Zealand home.
“I have enjoyed my time catching up with the NZ Paralympic Team and following Adam Hall and Corey Peters,” he explains. “I do fly in and out of New Zealand quite a bit, but it is still home and I love it.”
***TVNZ Duke and TVNZ+ offers extensive coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. For more Games-related info go here.
