KOZIKOWSKA Katarzyna

Classification
KL3, VL3 (canoeicf.com, 01 Jun 2021)

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (Facebook page, 13 Mar 2020; siepomaga.pl, 07 Nov 2018)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (Facebook page, 13 Mar 2020; siepomaga.pl, 07 Nov 2018)

Impairment Details
At age 13 she was diagnosed with bone cancer in her right femur [thigh], which resulted in her right leg being amputated above the knee. (Facebook page, 13 Mar 2020; siepomaga.pl, 07 Nov 2018)

General
MOTIVATION
She used a painting from her sister as motivation ahead of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "Every day when I wake up I see two things that motivate me to work - in front of my bed there is a hanger with all my medals, and it's a first thing which I see every time. The second thing is a picture painted by my sister, it's connected to Tokyo, there are elements and buildings that are associated to Tokyo - it's my second motivating thing that always reminds me where I'm heading to." (fundacjahasco-lek.pl, 26 May 2020)

FROM SWIMMING TO CANOEING
After competing in Para swimming for nine years, she took up Para canoe sprint in 2017 with a view to competing in the sport at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "I had many achievements at national and international stage in Para swimming, but I didn't manage to qualify for the Paralympics. After my second attempt to qualify for the Paralympic Games, I had a breakdown. Training didn't give me as much joy as before. I was feeling that I attended it mostly to not disappoint my loved ones, who believe in me. When I said to my parents that [Polish Para canoeist] Jakub Tokarz called me and encouraged me to try canoe sprint, they said I was crazy. They couldn't understand how it's possible that I can leave swimming after so many years for some new sport. Fortunately, I went for my first canoe training with my fiancee, he helped to make this decision. Going to canoeing training I wasn't starting from zero. I had a great endurance base [from swimming] and I had a straight head. I can only thank my swimming coach Wojciech Seidel for preparing me so well for canoeing." (magazynsportowiec.pl, 20 Jun 2019)

INSPIRING OTHERS
She is passionate about helping others who have undergone amputations. "I am a person, who wants to show that impairment is not an obstacle in living life to the fullest. I am very happy that by my attitude I can inspire others. I want to show people with impairments to not stay at home, but to go out to people and enjoy life. I show people [before amputation] that amputation can save lives, which is precious. I often show my prosthesis and talk how life looks after this surgery, giving people an example that amputation is not the end." (magazynsportowiec.pl, 20 Jun 2019)