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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Spinal Cord Injuries
Origin of Impairment
Acquired
Classification
LW12-1
Further personal information
Residence
Jesenice, SLO
Occupation
Athlete, Student
Languages
Croatian, English, Slovene
Higher education
Kinesiology - University of Ljubljana: Slovenia
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He began skiing at age two. Following his accident, he was introduced to Para skiing in 2009 in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Why this sport?
He was introduced to Para skiing at a demonstration camp organised by Slovenian Para alpine skier Gal Jakic. "When I sat down in the monoski for the first time after the accident, I fell in love with this sport again, this time for good. After ten years, I can say that skiing is my way of life and I can't imagine a day without skiing anymore."
Name of coach
Roman Podlipnik [personal], SLO
Training Regime
He has up to six or seven training sessions each week, spending more time on the snow in winter and more in the gym in summer. During the winter he trains in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
International debut
Year
2015
Competing for
Slovenia
Location
Landgraaf, NED
General interest
Hobbies
Spending time with his classmates, watching television series. (siol.net, 30 May 2018)
Memorable sporting achievement
Competing at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (siol.net, 30 May 2018)
Most influential person in career
Slovenian Para alpine skier Gal Jakic. (Athlete, 08 Mar 2018)
Hero / Idol
Slovenian ice hockey player Anze Kopitar and Slovenian Para swimmer Darko Duric. (siol.net, 30 May 2018; Athlete, 08 Mar 2018; slovenia.si, 09 Mar 2020; siol.net, 14 Jun 2020)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Sports is fun for me as I meet new people, broaden my horizons and prove to myself that I can always be better." (zsis.si, 2018)
Awards and honours
He was flag bearer for Slovenia at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (pyeongchang2018.com, 09 Mar 2018)
In 2016 he received the Most Promising Athlete award from the Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities of Slovenia and the Slovenian Paralympic Committee [ZSIS-POK]. (tipk.si, 17 Dec 2016)
In 2016 he received the Most Promising Athlete award from the Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities of Slovenia and the Slovenian Paralympic Committee [ZSIS-POK]. (tipk.si, 17 Dec 2016)
Ambitions
To win a medal at the Paralympic Winter Games. (slovenia.si, 09 Mar 2020)
Impairment
He was involved in a traffic accident at age five that resulted in paraplegia. His father and sister both died in the accident. (Athlete, 08 Mar 2018; slovenskenovice.si, 11 May 2014; slovenia.si, 09 Mar 2020)
Other information
SUPPORT FROM AN IDOL
He receives support from his friend and idol, Slovenian ice hockey player Anze Kopitar, who also comes from Slivnik's hometown of Jesenic, Slovenia. "We're good friends. He's my neighbour and we have known each other since I was born. He's still my idol and probably will be until the end of my career. He's supporting me and what I'm doing and this means a lot." (paralympic.org, 23 Jan 2019)
AMBASSADOR
He has served as an ambassador for the Slovenian Paralympic Committee's 'Become an Athlete' programme. The scheme aims to support the inclusion of young people with an impairment in different sporting activities. (zsis.si, 2018)
He receives support from his friend and idol, Slovenian ice hockey player Anze Kopitar, who also comes from Slivnik's hometown of Jesenic, Slovenia. "We're good friends. He's my neighbour and we have known each other since I was born. He's still my idol and probably will be until the end of my career. He's supporting me and what I'm doing and this means a lot." (paralympic.org, 23 Jan 2019)
AMBASSADOR
He has served as an ambassador for the Slovenian Paralympic Committee's 'Become an Athlete' programme. The scheme aims to support the inclusion of young people with an impairment in different sporting activities. (zsis.si, 2018)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Giant Slalom Sitting | Final | 2018-03-14 | 9999 | |
| Men's Slalom Sitting | Final | 2018-03-17 | 12 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Giant Slalom Sitting | Race 1 | 2019-01-21 | 17 | |
| Men's Slalom Sitting | Race 1 | 2019-01-23 | 10 |