Arnost Petracek voted Czech Para athlete of the year

Rio 2016 Paralympic champion Arnost Petracek has been voted as the Czech Republic Para athlete of the year.

The swimmer took home his nation’s lone gold medal from Rio 2016 after his victory in the men’s 50m backstroke S4. It came after he showed form with silver at the 2016 European Championships in Funchal, Portugal.

The annual poll consists of 50 Czech sports journalists, coaches and sports officials.

Archer David Drahoninsky came second in the voting. Drahoninsky took home silver in the men’s individual W1 category and bronze in the mixed team event. He, alongside Sarka Musilova, were named best team of the year for their bronze medal. Drahoninsky was also named Best Athlete of the City of Prague.

Coming in third for best Para athlete of the year was swimmer Bela Trebinova. The 40-year-old returned to the pool after a five-year break, and managed to win a silver in the women’s 50m backstroke S5 and bronze in the 50m freestyle S5.

For more information, visit the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of the Czech Republic’s website.