Paralympic champion Voula Kantza returned to the ANAPLASI Rehabilitation Center to continue her intensive preparation for the London Paralympic Games, following her participation in the Torch Relay for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Voula Kantza lit the Olympic flame at the altar of her home town, Amfilochia, with her coach Thodoris Katsonopoulos at her side, and her fellow villagers creating a most moving atmosphere.
“I felt very proud that my homeland chose me to carry the flame and light the altar,” said our Paralympic champion, and continued: “It was an unprecedented feeling, and I wish all athletes this experience and this moment of scaling great heights.”
Voula Kantza was born blind, but that did not stop her from winning a bronze medal at the Athens Paralympic Games, gold and silver at the World Blind Athletics Championships in Turkey (2011), a silver medal at the World Disabled Championships in New Zealand (2011) and many distinctions in European and international sports events since her first appearance, in 1996.
In 2011, she was seriously injured during training and underwent a specialized operation on her right leg. Since then, she has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation treatment at ANAPLASI with spectacular results and performances that have already secured her participation in the London Paralympic Games. It is well known that ANAPLASI was a major sponsor of the Association of Greek Paralympians from 2004 onwards. Voula stated, “I am very grateful to ANAPLASI for always supporting me in all my efforts and being at my side all these years and helping me achieve my goals in the Paralympic Games.”
As confirmed by the Scientific Director of ANAPLASIS, Dr. Konstantinos Zikopoulos, “Voula Kantza immediately began full rehabilitation treatment, aiming to prevent complications after such serious operations and maintain her excellent physical condition, so that when she takes part in the London Paralympic Games, all our expectations will be fulfilled.”
