Sam Von Einem Aiming To Turn His Silvers from Rio 2016 And Tokyo 2020 Into Gold at Paris 2024

Samuel Von Einem is preparing for his third Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 and his journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of sport. From his early days in Abu Dhabi to the Paralympic podium, Sam’s story is one of overcoming challenges and achieving greatness.

Sam’s love for sports began with tennis and soccer, but when his family relocated to Abu Dhabi in 2003, the intense heat made outdoor sports nearly impossible.

“When we moved to the UAE, the weather was too warm for tennis and soccer. We had a table tennis table at home, and the school also taught table tennis, so I started playing a lot with family and friends.”

This was the start of what would become a remarkable career in Para Table Tennis. Returning to Australia, Sam began competing in local tournaments at the age of 11. By 18, he was representing Australia on the international stage, never looking back.

“My family, especially my twin brother, and my coach were my biggest supporters. My mom helped me get classified in Para sport, which opened the door to the Paralympic Games,” says Sam.

Sam made his Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games, where he won Australia’s first medal in table tennis since 1984.

“Winning silver in Rio was a dream come true, competing against the best in the world and representing my country was an incredible experience,” Sam shares.

In Tokyo 2020, Sam once again claimed silver in the Men’s Singles Class 11 event, after a tightly contested match against Hungary’s Peter Palos.

“Every competition teaches me something new. I’ve learned how to prepare better, stay focused, and remember that while winning is important, playing well and learning from each match is what really matters.”

Now, as the current ITTF World no. 1 gears up for Paris 2024, his sights are set on turning his silvers from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 into solid gold.

“Winning a medal at the Paralympics is a huge honour, but my goal for Paris is to go one step further and bring home the gold,” he says.

His training regimen is intense, with 5-6 table tennis sessions a week, along with gym work and appointments with his physio and psychologist.

Sam is quick to express his gratitude to those who have supported him along the way.

“A big thank you to my family, friends, training partners, and everyone at Table Tennis Australia and the South Australian Sports Institute. Their support has been crucial in helping me achieve my goals.”

For others with intellectual impairments considering sports, Sam’s advice is simple yet powerful: “Go for it! Remember that winning isn’t everything—what matters is trying your best and enjoying the sport. Sports are about having fun and connecting with people who share your interests.”

As Sam prepares for the next chapter in his extraordinary journey, he remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for athletes around the world. His story is a reminder that with passion, perseverance, and the right support, anything is possible.

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.