Sightless Czech swimmer Kratochvíl ends junior career with six golds at youth paralympics

Seventeen-year-old Czech swimmer David Kratochvíl capped his junior career in stunning fashion, winning six gold medals at the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul. Competing in six events, the visually impaired Czech athlete triumphed in every start, breaking two European records in the 50m and 400m freestyle. His 400m time of 4:21.41 was just under a second off the long-standing world record from 1992. “I’m incredibly happy to finish my junior years like this,” Kratochvíl said. He will next compete at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore in September. In total, Czech para-athletes claimed 17 medals at the Games, including 11 golds.