Paralympian Suba looks to overcome Tokyo 2020 heartache

Fresh from winning a silver medal at this summer's European Championships, Hungarian para-canoeist Róbert Suba has his sights set on a gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Suba, who claimed silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, is no stranger to the podium. But his journey to success has been anything but ordinary. At 19, a parachute accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, a life-changing event that could have derailed his aspirations of becoming a professional athlete.

"At the time, I didn't fully grasp how the accident would change my life," Suba recalled. "It took a while for me to adjust and learn to live in a wheelchair. But over time, I found a lot of positives and accepted my new way of life. Now, I'm happy, with a wonderful family, and focused on preparing for the Paralympics. Everything is going well, and that's what matters most."

Suba's determination to overcome adversity led him to para-canoeing, a sport in which he has excelled over the past eight years. He has won multiple World Championship medals along with his European Championship title. However, the road to Tokyo 2020 proved tough, as he missed qualifying by just two-tenths of a second - a narrow margin that took a mental toll.

"I missed Tokyo by just two-tenths of a second, which was a tough mental blow. But I've moved on and focused all my energy on training for Paris," Suba said.

Now training six days a week, Suba is concentrating on improving his endurance on the water. At 44, the veteran Paralympian is mindful of how his body responds to the rigors of training and recovery, but feels confident in his preparation for Paris.

His coach, Krisztian Szabo, is also optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead. "The biggest challenge will be the wind, especially if it's coming from the right, making it tough for him to stay steady. Waves could add to the difficulty as well. We're aiming to be among the top three," Szabo said.

A key component of Suba's success lies in his customized seat, which is critical for maximizing his performance.

"Since I don't feel anything below my waist, this seat is crucial for me to transfer force to the boat effectively. It essentially replaces the function of my legs," Suba explained.

As his Paris 2024 participation approaches, Suba is keenly aware that this could be the final chapter of his extraordinary career. Fueled by past experiences, both triumphant and challenging, he is determined to push his performance to the limit in pursuit of Paralympic gold.

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