Kiwi badminton player Wojtek Czyz has been cheered on by good friend Jurgen Klopp, the former manager of Liverpool, during his opening round loss at the Paralympics overnight.
Klopp watched from the stands alongside Czyz's wife Elena Brambilla-Czyz at Porte de La Chapelle Arena as the Kiwi went down in his opening match to Daniel Bethell of Great Britain 21-5, 21-2.
Kiwi badminton player Wojtek Czyz has been cheered on by good friend Jurgen Klopp, the former manager of Liverpool. (Source: 1News)
Czyz said Klopp was there to give him some extra motivation and support but also to "point the finger in the right direction" for people to watch the Paralympics.
"Jurgen is family, we've known each other for more than 20 years," Czyz said. "He's simply amazed by not only what I'm doing, but by para sport itself. He's here to give a shout-out and sign to watch the Paralympic Games."
One of Czyz's biggest supporters is former Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp (Source: 1News)
Klopp finished managing Liverpool at the end of last season, winning a Premier League title and the Champions League during his time at the club.
"If I had time in the past I would've shown up earlier," Klopp said. "It's the first time I've had the chance to come here and the nice part of it is that my good friend Wojtek is part of the Paralympics so I can combine two things."
Klopp said he feels "super inspired" seeing all the athletes compete in Paris.
"I feel bad that I have to come here to give the event the attention that it deserves... but I'm happy to make people more aware of it.
"It's the sports part, its the dealing with hurdles and obstacles, its the comeback mentality, the never give up mentality."
Klopp said "he couldn't be more proud" of his friend.
"The game was the game, he played against a big favourite for the gold medal."
Czyz is the first Kiwi to represent New Zealand in badminton at the Paralympics and only picked up the sport three years ago.
The 44-year-old has won seven Paralympics medals for Germany in athletics and moved to New Zealand five years ago.
"It makes be incredibly proud that I made it to Paris, and I am here representing this beautiful country, I am so proud to be here, and I hope everyone can feel that I am fighting with all I have.”
Klopp was surprised when he found out that Czyz had moved to New Zealand.
"New Zealand couldn't be more further away from where we are...what the heck, how did you get there."
The Kiwi revealed he broke his prosthetic before his opening match and had to settle for using his spare which he said took some time to get used to.
“My movement on court is fine, but unfortunately just before the game my prosthetic broke. I had to get used to the spare one because it is a little softer. It is about being a little more patient, having longer rallies. I’ll see what the next day will bring.
Czyz takes on European silver medallist Oleksandr Chyrkov of Ukraine in his second group B match this evening not before 8:30pm NZT.
Watch the Paralympics live on TVNZ+ and TVNZ1 from August 29-September 9.
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