The Paralympics is known for the stories it provides to its audience. Every single competitor has overcome some of the toughest situations possible in life and have persevered through them to achieve greatness. These people are some of the best athletes the world will see and must get the recognition they genuinely deserve.

One of these is Thailand’s Saysunee Jana. The wheelchair fencer created history on the 7th of September after becoming the first female Paralympian in history to win the gold medal in all three of the disciplines in fencing at just one edition. This includes Sabre, Foil, and Epee. She also became the second wheelchair fencer ever to win three gold medals at Paralympic fencing after Roberto Marson, who did it 56 years ago.

Despite experiencing a horrific accident at the age of 17, she never gave up and is now considered one of the greatest para-athletes of all time. She has won a total of ten Paralympic medals, including 5 golds, 1 silver, and 4 bronzes. Her first gold in Athens in 2004 speaks volumes about her longevity as an athlete. Competing in five different editions of the Paralympics and winning a medal in each is arguably one of the greatest achievements any athlete can aspire to, solidifying her legacy forever.

In addition, Saysunee Jana has won seven medals at the World Championships, including five golds. Her success doesn’t stop there—she also boasts an incredible twelve medals from the Asian Games, a truly remarkable achievement. To fully appreciate these feats, one must understand the struggles Saysunee faced after her accident and how she eventually emerged as one of the most dominant para-athletes of all time.

Saysunee Jana’s obstacle-filled journey from a horrific accident to the Paralympics

Saysunee Jana was just 17 when she became the victim of a tragic accident. She was riding her motorcycle to work when a collision broke her back and left her legs paralyzed. Following this life-altering event, she spiraled into depression as her parents struggled to cover her hospital bills along with their household expenses. At one point, she even contemplated suicide. However, her chosen method—throwing herself out of a window—proved impossible because she couldn’t lift herself out of her wheelchair, despite trying for over an hour.

After her failed attempt, she decided to put more effort into rebuilding her life and enrolled in an institute for disabled people. It was there that she first discovered wheelchair fencing—a potential way to not only regain purpose but also earn a better living. Gradually, she honed her skills and began qualifying for international competitions. In 2010, Yao Chai, a fellow wheelchair fencer from Japan, even described her as ‘practically unbeatable.’

Fourteen years later, this statement still holds true, as Saysunee continues to dominate her opponents and add more medals to her tally. Beyond her athletic achievements, Saysunee Jana has shown immense character by using her earnings to help her family, paying off their debts, and funding her sister’s university education. She has also become a prominent spokesperson for disabled sports. This Thai athlete is undoubtedly destined to be remembered in the history books as both a champion and an icon.