Overcoming Autism: Florian Van Acker’s Journey From Romanian Orphanage To The Paralympic Podium With Belgian Flag

Florian Von Acker is one of the finest table tennis athletes with autism who competes for Belgium at the Paralympic Games. As he prepares to take on the stage at his third Paralympic Games at the Paris 2024, let’s find out more about the life journey this splendid athlete has walked.  

At the age of 19, Florian Van Acker had already made his mark in the world of table tennis, carrying Belgium to the highest levels of the sport. Competing in the Class 11 category for athletes with intellectual impairment, Florian became a symbol of perseverance and success, earning accolades on the global stage. 

Born in Zalău, Romania, Florian faced a challenging start to life. Abandoned shortly after birth, he spent his early years in an orphanage and a transitional foster family before being adopted at three and a half by Belgian couple Eric and Dora Van Acker-Debedts. Reflecting on their initial experiences with Florian, Dora shared,  

“He was active, impulsive, agitated. At first, we thought that this agitation and tension were due to his stay at the orphanage. At school, if something did not interest him, he would close his book, and that was it, full stop. He agreed to make a little effort only if he liked his teacher. Fortunately, this evolved positively over the years.” 

Florian’s journey was far from easy. Growing up with autism and an intellectual impairment, he faced numerous hurdles in communication, autonomy, and social interaction. Despite these challenges, Florian found peace and strength in sports.  

“Because of my autism and my slight intellectual impairment, it is not always easy for me to join a group of people who don’t know me. They do not see that I have a disability.” 

“Thanks to sport, I am calmer and I have more confidence in my abilities,” he said. 

Florian received his international eligibility with Virtus in February 2012, which opened doors for him at the international para-sports competitions. 

His introduction to table tennis came through a friend, William, who taught him the sport and believed in his potential. This belief paid off, as Florian quickly rose through the ranks, making his debut at the World Championships in 2014, where he won a bronze medal. A year later, he became the European Champion in Class 11. 

Florian’s biggest breakthrough moment came at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where he claimed gold in the Class 11 category. Describing this monumental achievement, Florian said, 

 “It was a dream come true. It’s an incredible feeling, like the excitement of a child the day before the start of the summer holidays.” 

His success continued, and despite the challenges of adapting to new environments and the pressures of competition, Florian secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. His disciplined approach towards the preparation, including arriving in Rio a week early to acclimate and maintaining a strict routine, showcased his dedication and resilience.  

“It is not easy for a person with autism to get out of his usual environment, especially in a stressful context,” he noted. 

Now, Florian is gearing up for his third Paralympic Games. With his eyes set on more victories, he remains focused on the future. Beyond his personal achievements, Florian’s story serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for others. His advice to fellow autistic individuals is heartfelt and powerful:  

“First and foremost, believe in yourself and those who support you, help you, and believe in you… My motto, ‘never give up’ is as relevant to sport as it is to life in general.” 

Florian’s journey from a challenging start in Romania to the pinnacle of representing and winning medals for Belgium at the Paralympic Games is a testament to his unwavering spirit and determination. His achievements have not only brought pride to his family and country but have also inspired countless others facing similar challenges. As he prepares for the upcoming Paralympic Games, the world will be watching, ready to witness more of Florian Van Acker’s remarkable journey of triumph and resilience. 

Florian’s story underscores the extraordinary potential within each of us, proving that with support, belief, and relentless effort, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness. 

Join Virtus’ #MakingInvisibleVISIBLE campaign in making Florian’s journey Visible. 

WHAT IS INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT? 

Intellectual impairment is an umbrella term to describe a vast and neuro-diverse group of people with varying types of cognitive impairments including intellectual disability, Down syndrome and autism. Having an intellectual impairment impacts how an athlete understands the rules of the sport, interacts with other players, and adjusts to different environments. They might find it difficult to manage reaction times, remember specific race or game strategies, retain focus for long period of time, or maintaining impulse control.