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Paralympian Profile

Tainafi Lefono #218

Tainafi Lefono

While playing rugby in 2007, a tackle went wrong and Nafi (as he likes to be known) sustained a spinal cord injury that left him a C7 tetraplegic.

Nafi is a fully qualified Physiotherapist and is currently working in the community as a neuro physiotherapist. He is working with a variety of individuals to enable them to be more independent in their day to day lives.

Wheelchair Rugby Highlights | Day 3 | Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

Nafi was part of the Wheel Blacks team that placed 3rd at the 2019 Asia Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championships. He then competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as a team member of the first Wheel Blacks side to compete at the Paralympics since 2008 . The team placed 8th overall and gained valuable experience to build on for their journey to Paris 2024.

In 2020, Nafi became a dad for the first time and loves having whānau time with his partner and daughter.

Paralympic Results
Paralympic GamesResult
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
  • 8th – Wheelchair Rugby

Profile

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    Hometown: Auckland

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    Born: 28 November 1985

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    Ethnicity: Samoan

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    Eligible Impairment: Loss of muscle power

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    Health Condition: Quadriplegia (caused by spinal cord injury)

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    Coach: Greg Mitchell

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    Classification: 2.0

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    Games Year: Tokyo 2020

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    Para Sport: Wheelchair rugby

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