André Kajlich
PARATRIATHELETE . CycliST
In 2003, Andre Kajlich was a 24-year-old college student in the Czech Republic who, after a night of partying with friends in Prague, ended up getting hit by a subway train. He lost his left leg at the hip and his right leg above the knee. He would never run again.
At first he just wanted to get back to Prague and resume his studies. It seemed impossible at first but a year and a half after his accident, he was back at school and remained in Prague another 3 years.
Ten years later, Kajlich is a world-class paratriathlete and ultraendurance wheelchair racer who considers himself lucky: "Not because I survived getting run over. It just feels like my life so far has been pretty cool."
He feels especially lucky to have had the opportunity to do things like these:
- 2017 Race Across America (RAAM) Solo Finisher (number 570 for life!)
- Ultraman World Champion
- Ironman World Champion
- 364.8 miles at Cycling 24Hour World Time Trial Championships
- 1st and only Handcycle Athlete to complete RAAM Solo
- 1st and only Wheelchair Athlete to complete an Ultraman Triathlon (or 3 - Canada, Australia & Hawaii)
- 1st and only Wheelchair Athlete to finish the Brazil135 and other Ultramarathons
- 2x ITU World Championships Silver Medalist
- Panamerican Paratriathlon Champion
- National Ironman 70.3 Champion
- USAT Paratriathlete of the Year