Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is used to being the centre of attention.
On Thursday he was more than happy to be on the sidelines, cheering on his old friend Wojtek Czyz as he competed in badminton at the Paris Paralympics.
“I was standing next to Elena, his amazing wife, and we both had tears in our eyes,” Klopp said after watching Czyz lose to Britain's Daniel Bethell in the men's singles tournament. “I couldn't be more proud of him. I know sports are all about results, but seeing him on court was so moving and I couldn't take that in.”
Their friendship began some 20 years ago, when Czyz, a promising footballer, suffered a devastating injury in a clash with a goalkeeper that resulted in the amputation of the lower part of his left leg. During his rehabilitation, Czyz met Klopp, who was then managing Mainz, a German second-division club.
An immediate connection was established between them that has only deepened over the years. Klopp, who stepped down as Liverpool manager this year after more than eight seasons, often uses Czyz's story as a source of inspiration for others.
“Wojtek constantly does things that I'm not brave enough to do,” Klopp said at La Chapelle Arena in northern Paris. “He was telling me yesterday how easy it is to swim with sharks,” he added, referring to Czyz's experience as a licensed diving instructor.
Following his injury, Czyz began competing in para athletics and won gold medals for Germany in the 100 metres, 200 metres and long jump at the 2004 Paralympic Games. After retiring from the sport in 2013, he and his wife Elena Brambilla-Czyz bought a catamaran and sailed around the world, helping amputees living on remote islands get prosthetics.
They arrived in New Zealand in 2019, where Czyz decided to take up badminton. After just a few years, he became so proficient at the sport that he earned a spot at the Paris Paralympics, competing for New Zealand.
However, Bethell, seeded No. 2, proved a tough opponent for the 44-year-old Czyz in the SL3 category for players who practice standing and have a disability in one or both legs. Bethell won in straight sets 21-5, 21-2.
Still, Czyz said Klopp's support meant a lot.
“Jürgen is part of my family,” said Czyz. “It was great to have him on my team, despite the tough defeat today. We need people like Jürgen to put us in the spotlight.”
It was also a special move for Bethell, who received a thumbs up and a “Good job, Dan” from Klopp.
“It was surreal to see it. [Klopp] in the stands,” Bethell said.
Despite the defeat, Czyz's journey in Paris is not over. He will face Ukrainian Oleksandr Chyrkov in a decisive match of the second group stage.
Will he invite Klopp to see him again?
“Given my performance today, I'll have to think about it,” Czyz joked.
