career

“My name is Petra Lévay. I am a member of the Hungarian national paratriathlon team. I would like to invite you to become my official sponsors and partners in the 2018/2019 triathlon season.”

Start of my career as a paratriathlete

I started swimming at the age of two, and in 2002 at the age of 16, I broke the world record in the 200 m breaststroke. Thanks to this result, I qualified for the World Championship for disabled swimmers in Argentina. I returned home from South America with two 11th places (100 m breaststroke, 100 m butterfly), where I had represented Hungary as the youngest member of the team. I did not qualify for the Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004, so I gave up swimming that year as a 44-times national champion.

I became Hungary’s first Women’s Paratriathlon European Champion

In a radio interview in 2014, I was asked whether it was not painful for me not to have the Paralympics in my life after 10 years away from competitive sport, as this is every sportsperson’s

dream. At that point it hit me that it really was very painful. I was bold enough to take a big step and move back into the world of the swimming pool and sports, but I tried out a new branch, paratriathlon, which was featured in the Paralympic Games for the first time in Rio in 2016. I resolved to follow my dreams and get to Rio, but unfortunately, I missed qualifying by one place. After the initial disappointment, I decided not to give up. I continued training and won the European middle-distance triathlon championship on 4 September 2016. With this achievement, I became the first women’s European champion paratriathlete in Hungary.

2018/2019 triathlon season

Early in the triathlon season this year (2018), I mounted the podium once again in Aguilas (Spain) at the Paratriathlon World Cup, having won a silver medal. The other great event of the season was the World Championship held on the Australian Gold Coast, where I came in 7th. With these results, I secured my position on the world ranking list for the 2018/2019 season, which counts toward qualification for the Tokyo Paralympics of 2020. I am currently in 7th position. From this position, I can start this important year with good prospects.

My plans for this year

This year, I am planning to visit Australia again in March, for the World Cup held in Devonport. Due to the weather conditions in Hungary and the eight-hour time difference, it is worth travelling to the venue earlier. This year’s races and preparation are all so that I can participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, as this is the qualification year.

Athlete: Petra Lévay • +36 30 610 4761 • petra.levay@yahoo.com • facebook

Management: the path sports management • office@thepathsm.com