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A former wheelchair rugby player, Genyn switched to Para athletics in 2014 after breaking his leg when he fell out of his wheelchair on a bumpy road. Advised it was too dangerous to continue playing rugby, Genyn turned to the track and hasn’t looked back.
The Belgian won silver medals in the 100m and 400m T51 at the 2014 European Championships in Swansea, Great Britain, then went one better at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, a year later, finishing top of the podium in the 100m and 400m T51.
Double gold followed at the European Championships in 2016, with a new world record in the 400m T51 too.
At the Rio Paralympic Games, Genyn was on top once again, winning two more gold medals. The King of Belgium called to congratulate him and at the end of the year he received the 2016 Vlaams Sportjuweel (Flemish Sports Jewel), presented by the Flemish government annually to the athlete who has delivered a remarkable and exceptional sporting performance.
At London 2017 Genyn topped the podium yet again, retaining his two world titles.
Photo Gallery
Biography
Impairment information
Further personal information
Sport specific information
International debut
General interest
He broke his femur in 2013 after his wheelchair caught on a large steel pin protruding from the ground and brought him down. (paralympic.org, 17 Apr 2018)
In 2012 he broke his leg after he fell out of his wheelchair trying to avoid hitting a bicycle. He was advised it was too dangerous to play wheelchair rugby after the injury. (rtbf.be, 22 Dec 2018; paralympic.org, 18 Aug 2016)
He received the 2016 Paralympic Athlete of the Year award in Brasschaat, Belgium, as well as the 2016 Trofee Victor Boin [Victor Boin Trophy]. (hln.be, 30 Mar 2017) (sporza.be, 13 Jan 2017)
He was Belgium's flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (sporza.be, 19 Sep 2016)
He was named the 2014 G-Athlete of the Year at the Antwerp Provincial Sports Awards in Belgium. (gva.be, 18 Dec 2014)
He was named the Top 1.5 Player at the 2013 Wheelchair Rugby Challenge in Denmark. (paralympic.org, 2013)
He is a wheelchair rugby coach at Wapper Giants club in Belgium. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019)
HIGHER EDUCATION
He has a degree in computer graphics. (Athlete, 23 Oct 2015)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed | Group B | 2012-09-05 | 1 | |
| Mixed | Group B | 2012-09-06 | 4 | |
| Mixed | Group B | 2012-09-07 | 5 | |
| Mixed | Group B - Standings | 2012-09-07 | 4 | |
| Mixed | Classification 7-8 | 2012-09-08 | 102 | |
| Mixed | Classification 5-8 | 2012-09-08 | 201 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m T51 | Final 1 | 2015-10-27 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m T51 | Heat 1 | 2015-10-27 | 2 | |
| Men's 400 m T51 | Heat 2 | 2015-10-30 | 1 | |
| Men's 400 m T51 | Final 1 | 2015-10-31 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m T51 | Final Round | 2016-09-13 | 1 | |
| Men's 400 m T51 | Final Round | 2016-09-17 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 400 m T51 | Final 1 | 2017-07-17 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m T51 | Final 1 | 2017-07-21 | 1 |