Habscheid becomes first Para athlete to be named Luxembourg's Sportsman of the Year

Tom Habscheid became the first Paralympic athlete to be named Sportsman of the Year in Luxembourg following his successful campaign at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

The three-time Paralympic shot put athlete received the award at a ceremony on 4 December, three months after he won the country's first Paralympic medal in 40 years. The winner of the award was selected by local sports journalists.

"It's a huge honour for me to be the first Paralympic athlete to receive this award," Habscheid said. "This recognition is a big step forward not only for me, but for Paralympic sport as a whole in Luxembourg.

"I hope this will encourage young people with disabilities to pursue their dreams and become part of our sports community."

Making Paralympic history in Luxembourg

The 38-year-old athlete made sporting history for Luxembourg after he threw a Paralympic record of 14.97 metres at the Stade de France. He joined gold medallist Faisal Sorour of Kuwait and silver medallist Aled Davies of Great Britain on the podium. 

Habscheid, who competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, was also one of Luxembourg's flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which took place from 28 August to 8 September.

Marc Schreiner, president of the Luxembourg Paralympic Committee, said, "Tom Habscheid’s success shows the potential there is in Paralympic sport and is an impressive example of the fact that we tackle the impossible without delay, but need some time to achieve miracles.

"This award sends a strong signal and motivates us to continue working to promote people with disabilities in sport.”