Subhi Agrawal
Jurgen Klopp and Wojtek Czyz’s friendship started about 20 years ago. On Thursday the former Liverpool coach cheered for his longtime friend Czyz as he competed in badminton at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
“We Both Had Tears In Our Eyes”
“I stood next to Elena, his incredible wife, and we both had tears in our eyes. I couldn’t be prouder of him. I know sports are all about results, but just seeing him on the court was so touching, and I couldn’t get my head around that,” Klopp said after watching Czyz lose to Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the men’s singles, reported Sportstar.
When Wojtek Czyz experienced a severe injury in a collision with a goalkeeper, resulting in the amputation of his lower left leg, their friendship started as during his recovery, Czyz met Klopp, who was managing FSV Mainz 05, a second-division German team.
Immediately their bond deepened, and Klopp, who left his role as Liverpool coach this year after over eight seasons, frequently draws inspiration from Czyz’s story to motivate others.
“Wojtek is constantly doing things I’m not brave enough to do,” Klopp said at the La Chapelle Arena in the north of Paris.
“Yesterday, he was telling me how easy it is to swim with sharks,” he added.
Czyz Started Competing In Para Athletics
Czyz started competing in para-athletics after sustaining an injury and won several medals including gold medals for Germany in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and long jump at the 2004 Paralympics.
He quit the sport in 2013 and with his wife Elena Brambilla-Czyz bought a catamaran and sailed worldwide. He provided prosthetics to amputees living on remote islands. In 2019 after arriving in New Zealand, Czyz decided to pursue badminton and got skilled at the sport in just a few years. He is known as one of the greatest at the Paris Paralympics, competing for New Zealand.
“Jurgen is family to me. It was great having him in my corner, despite the tough loss today. We need people like Jürgen putting the spotlight on us,” Czyz said, referring to Klopp’s ever-longing support.
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