Para Athlete Sofia Gonzalez
OTTOBOCK AMBASSADOR

Sofia Gonzalez

Due to a congenital deformity, Sofia’s right leg was amputated when she was just three years old.

Due to a congenital deformity, Sofia’s right leg was amputated when she was just three years old.

A great love of speed

Sofia always loved doing sports: Dancing, skiing and horse riding were her favourites.

In 2017, she participated in the Ottobock Running Clinic in Switzerland at the age of 14. Heinrich Popow showed her how to run on a running prosthesis and inspired her. She was thrilled by her ability to run.

This was the beginning of her para athletics career. “I love the feeling of speed when I’m running. Being able to run brings me joy, and I’m proud that I can share my experiences and inspire others.”

“I always tell myself that my strength is what makes me different. And I want to show the world that even with an amputation, you can accomplish great things and be proud of who you are.”

Sofia Gonzalez, Para-Leichtathletin und Ottobock Botschafterin

The science around sports is another focus

Sofia ran her first race at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwill, Switzerland – just about a year after she tried running on a running prosthesis for the first time. Since then, she has improved her times in the 100 metres and her long jump results, and finished 5th at the World Para Athletics Championship in Dubai in 2019.

She qualified for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and made it into the top 10 in the 100 metres and long jump.

Aside from sports, she focusses on her international Bachelor's degree in "sports science and management".

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Key facts

  • Nation: Switzerland

  • Year of birth: 2001

  • Sport: Para athletics – 100 m, long jump

  • Classification: T63

  • Coaches: Georg Pfarrwaller, Christian Dössegger

  • Club: CA Riviera, Plusport

Victories and achievements

  • Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games:

    • 7th place in the 100 metres

    • 8th place in the long jump

  • World Para Athletics Championships Dubai 2019:

    • 5th place in the 100 metres

    • 9th place in the long jump

  • European Para Athletics Championships Bydgoszcz 2021:

    • Bronze medal in the 100 metres and 5th place in the long jump

  • European Para Athletics Championships Berlin 2018:

    • 4th place in the 100 metres

  • Para Athletics Grand Prix Dubai 2018 and Nottwil 2019:

    • Silver medal in the 100 metres

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