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Biography
Impairment information
Origin of Impairment
Congenital
Further personal information
Languages
English, Estonian
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He began swimming at age 12 in Tallinn, Estonia. He took up Para Nordic skiing seriously after the 2012 Paralympic Games.
Why this sport?
He found swimming enjoyable. "The pool was the only place where I could feel free. I only have no limitation in the water." He decided to pursue a career in Para Nordic skiing after he finished fourth in the men's S10 100m backstroke at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. "Then I decided to choose a new and interesting area in addition to swimming. I have always enjoyed cross-country and downhill skiing. My thoughts immediately turned to cross-country - it has been close to my heart since my early childhood and I have a strong upper body with which I can quickly propel myself."
Club / Team
SK Meduus [swimming]: Tallinn, EST
International debut
Year
2002 [Para swimming]
Competing for
Estonia
Tournament
World Championships
Location
Mar del Plata, ARG
General interest
Injuries
In 2006 he had broken ribs and was out of the swimming pool for seven months. (ekspress.delfi.ee, 27 Aug 2012)
He was involved in a motorcycle accident when he was in the 11th grade at school, and sustained a fractured knee. (ekspress.delfi.ee, 27 Aug 2012)
He was involved in a motorcycle accident when he was in the 11th grade at school, and sustained a fractured knee. (ekspress.delfi.ee, 27 Aug 2012)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Just do it!" (Athlete, 30 Nov 2017)
Awards and honours
In 2016 he was named Athlete of the Year by the Estonian Paralympic Committee for the eighth time. (sport.postimees.ee, 25 Nov 2016)
Other sports
He represented Estonia in swimming at the 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Paralympic Games, winning bronze in the men's S10 100m backstroke at the 2008 Games in Beijing. He was classified in the LW4 Para Nordic skiing category for the 2021/22 season. (SportsDeskOnline, 08 Dec 2021; IPC, 08 Dec 2021; paralympic.org, 09 Dec 2016)
Impairment
He has an impaired right foot. "I have a congenital impairment to my foot, one sized 46 and the other sized 35. My right foot has no heel and toe. At about five or six, I had my first surgery in Finland. With the help of a special device, my bones in both thighs and legs were extended by 11 centimetres. As a child, the length difference was not so big. I was able to play with others, I did sports." (ekspress.delfi.ee, 27 Aug 2012)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S10 | Heats | 14 | ||
| Men's 400 m Freestyle S10 | Heats | 18 | ||
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S10 | Heats | 18 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S10 | Heat 1 | 5 | ||
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heat 2 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final Round | 3 | ||
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heat 1 | 2 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heats | 6 | ||
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final Round | 4 | ||
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB9 | Heats | 9999 | ||
| Men's 100 m Butterfly S10 | Heats | 17 | ||
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S10 | Heats | 20 | ||
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S10 | Heats | 17 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final Round | 8 | ||
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heat 3 | 4 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S10 | Heat 1 | 2012-08-31 | 6 | |
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heat 3 | 2012-09-04 | 2 | |
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final Round | 2012-09-04 | 4 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heat 1 | 2013-08-17 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final 1 | 2013-08-17 | 3 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S10 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-13 | 13 | |
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heat 1 | 2015-07-16 | 6 | |
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final 1 | 2015-07-16 | 4 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S10 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-09 | 5 | |
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-10 | 5 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S10 | Final 1 | 2017-12-02 | 7 | |
| Men's 100 m Backstroke S10 | Final 1 | 2017-12-02 | 2 |