Paralympic champions share their 2025 New Year resolutions

 Happy New Year!

2025 will be another exciting year for the Paralympic Movement. Since the beginning of the year is the perfect time to come up with new goals, we asked several Paralympians to share their New Year resolutions and what they are looking forward to in 2025. 

 

Giacomo Bertagnolli (Italy, Para alpine skiing)

Giacomo Bertagnolli has won eight Paralympic medals, including four golds, in Para alpine skiing.

 

My 2024 in three words:

Challenging, helpful and exciting

2024 was challenging because there were many competitions last year despite the fact that there were no major events like the World Championships or the Paralympic Games. Being ready physically and mentally to do all disciplines in alpine skiing requires a lot of commitment.

Helpful because it helped me understand my level compared to my opponents so I could then focus on certain aspects to improve even more. The year was exciting because there were some new trips like Japan that made the whole season a little more interesting!

 

My 2025 resolutions:

2025 will be the last season before the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games. I have a lot of work to do because I know I can still improve so much. Each race will be great training that will help me get ready for 2026.

The World Championships this season will be super important because in my head, it will be like the Paralympics – a single race where I have to give my best to get the best result possible. 

 

Declan Farmer (USA, Para ice hockey)

Declan Farmer led the USA to Para ice hockey gold medal at Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022.

 

My 2024 in three words:

Exciting, motivating and grateful

It was exciting to see the growth of the sport internationally – with two one-goal semifinal games at the Worlds. Motivating to have a new world champion in Canada to have to work to take down. Grateful to play a sport that I love with teammates I consider some of my closest friends.

 

My 2025 resolutions:

My resolution is to not take any days for granted. I know how precious little time is before Milano Cortina 2026, and a consistent approach to training for the next year plus will be the best way to prepare for the Games. I also want to do my best to contribute to the growth of the Paralympic Movement and Para ice hockey specifically in the momentum leading up to Milan.

 

My expectations for 2025:

I’m most looking forward to seeing the progress and improvement our team can make over the next year. I think we had a lot of room for growth across the board, and I know we have a group of players who, if they work to reach their potential, will push the boundaries of Para ice hockey on the skill side of the sport.

We really view the next 12 months as the last 12 before the Games – January/February of 2026 will just be used as a touch up – so we’ll be training with a real sense of urgency.

 

 

Amy Truesdale (Great Britain, Para taekwondo)

Amy Truesdale won Para taekwondo women's K44+65kg division at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

 

My 2024 in three words:

Successful, inspiring and sensational.

I choose successful as it was my most successful year in my Para taekwondo career, being current world, European and Paralympic champion.

I myself have been inspired by all of the Para athletes. They are amazing, resilient individuals and it was a pleasure being in their company at the Games. I also hope I have inspired the next generation!

Sensational – this is the best word I can use to describe the Grand Palais. The venue, organisation, volunteers and support from the crowd was simply sensational! 

 

My 2025 resolutions:

To be kinder to myself and socialise more.

I want to be kinder to myself because treating yourself with compassion builds self-esteem and self-worth. And I would like to expand my network and meet people in different circles.

 

My expectations for 2025:

I am looking forward to going into the new LA28 Paralympic Games cycle and also developing myself further as a taekwondo coach as this is the avenue I will pursue post-retirement.

 

Kae Kurahashi (Japan, wheelchair rugby)

Kae Kurahashi was the only female player on the Japanese team that won gold in wheelchair rugby at Paris 2024.

 

My 2024 in three words:

Fun, challenges, and encounters

I was able to have fun playing wheelchair rugby with all my energy, which is my goal in life. I cherished the feeling of wanting to take on more challenges and I was able to do this.  I was inspired by people and places that I encountered.

 

My 2025 resolutions:

To be flexible and graceful. I want to continue embracing my desire to take on challenges and live flexibly and gracefully. 

 

Katsuya Hashimoto (Japan, wheelchair rugby)

Katsuya Hashimoto was Japan's top-scorer in the wheelchair rugby final against USA at Paris 2024. 

 

My 2024 in three words:

Appreciation, happiness, and growth

Appreciation because many people supported us at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and that support helped us earn the gold medal, and happiness because we were able to win.

Growth is another word because I scored the most tries for the team in Paris, achieving my goal of becoming a key player who leads the team to the top of the podium. After our disappointment at Tokyo 2020, this has been my biggest goal, and I was also able to demonstrate on the court everything I had worked on. 

 

My 2025 resolutions:

I want to earn a lot of playing time at many international tournaments and lead the team to victory. Also, since I did not spend so much time with my friends during the three years between Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, I want to hang out with my friends a lot when I am not training.

 

Carina Edlinger (Austria, Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing)

Carina Edlinger topped the podium in the women's sprint free VI race in Para cross-country skiing  at Beijing 2022. 

 

My 2024 in three words:

Challenging, teaching and growth

I faced challenges and tough circumstances in private, sport and life, but how tough it was, I see it as a big learning and growth in my mental strength.

 

My 2025 resolutions:

I want to work with the strength I gained from 2024. Everyone trains as hard as they can, but in the end the most persistent athlete with the best mindset wins. This is not just something in sport, this is the same in daily life as well.

Of course, I want to work hard on the things I am already doing but there is a quote, “the magic sits there in the work you are avoiding.” If I want to repeat to win I need to focus on the aspects that have been a bit overlooked in the past, and also, focused on non-sport projects to keep my head balanced.