00:00The summer sun blazes down as Robert Szubach, Hungary's leading para canoeist, sharpens his skills for the Paris Olympics.
00:11At the time I didn't fully grasp how the accident would change my life. It took a while for me to adjust and learn to live in a wheelchair.
00:20But over time I found a lot of positives and accepted my new way of life.
00:25Now I'm happy with a wonderful family and focused on preparing for the Paralympics. Everything's going well and that's what matters most.
00:33With a silver medal from the 2016 Rio Games under his belt, Szubach is no stranger to the podium.
00:39His journey has been anything but ordinary. At 19, a parachute accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.
00:46The life-changing event could have derailed his dream of becoming a professional athlete.
00:53I missed Tokyo by just two tenths of a second, which was a tough mental blow. But I've moved on and focused all my energy on training for Paris.
01:03Szubach transformed adversity into opportunity by challenging his determination into para canoeing.
01:09Over the last eight years he's gone on to win multiple world championship medals and a European championship title.
01:17Szubach is training six days a week, focusing on improving his endurance on the water.
01:23At 44 years, the Paralympian is paying close attention to how his body reacts to the training and recovery.
01:32But overall he says he's in good shape for the Games.
01:38His coach Christian Schabel recognizes the tough competition in Paris, but remains hopeful about Szubach's chances.
01:46The biggest challenge will be the wind, especially if it's coming from the right, making it tough for him to stay steady.
01:53Waves could add to the difficulty as well. We're aiming to be among the top three.
01:59One of the most crucial aspects of Szubach's canoe is his customized seat.
02:04It is essential for maximizing his performance and it is a vital part of his success on the water.
02:12Since I don't feel anything below my waist, this seat is crucial for me to transfer force to the boat effectively.
02:20It essentially replaces the function of my legs.
02:24With the Paris Games potentially marking the final chapter of his extraordinary career, Szubach is driven by a past full of highs and lows.
02:33He believes Paralympic glory is within reach and will push his performance to the limit in pursuit of gold.
02:40Pablo Gutiérrez, CGTN, Szeged, Hungary.
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