Czech Republic Eyes Paralympic Para Hockey Medal in Milan-Cortina 2026

The Czech Republic is poised to compete in the para hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, marking their fifth appearance in the event. Whereas past performances have peaked at a fifth-place finish, the team, under coach Jakub Novotný, is considered a strong contender for a medal this year, building on consistent bronze medal finishes at the last three World Championships.

Recent Performance and Tournament Start

The Czech Republic began their Paralympic campaign with a 3:2 victory over Japan, with goals from Radek Zelinka, Michal Geier, and Lukáš Kapko. This win sets a positive tone for their medal aspirations.

Team Composition

The Czech Paralympic Committee has announced a delegation of 24 athletes (22 men and 2 women) competing across four sports at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. The para hockey team roster includes:

• Forwards: Alex Ohar, David Ondrák, Theodor Pátek (all Sparta Prague), Michal Geier, Filip Veselý (both Karlovy Vary), Zdeněk Hábl (Zlín), Václav Hečko (Ostrava), Martin Žižlavský (Olomouc).
• Defensemen: Petr Boček (Pardubice), Martin Kudela (Ostrava), Patrik Sedláček (Sharks Karlovy Vary).
• Goaltenders: Pavel Doležal, Pavel Kubeš (both Pardubice), Lukáš Kapko (Sparta Prague), David Vrubel (Ostrava), Radek Zelinka (Karlovy Vary).

Coaching and Support Staff

Jakub Novotný leads the team as head coach. Novotný brings eight years of experience to the role, having served as a coach, manager, and development coach within the sport. He is also involved with HC Sparta Praha.

Past Achievements

The Czech Republic’s para hockey team has a history of competitive performances, including:

• World Championship B – 1st place (2016)
• Paralympic Winter Games Pyeongchang – 5th place (2018)
• World Championship – 4th place (2019)
• World Championship – 5th place (2021)
• Paralympic Winter Games Beijing – Participation (2022)

Looking Ahead

With a strong start to the tournament and a seasoned coaching staff, the Czech Republic para hockey team is well-positioned to challenge for a medal at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. Their consistent performance at the World Championship level suggests they have the potential to achieve a historic result in Milan-Cortina.

Sources:

1. World Athletics – Jakub NOVOTNÝ
2. Wikipedia – Czech Republic at the 2026 Winter Paralympics
3. Český para hokej – Jakub Novotný
4. International Paralympic Committee – Sport Committe Profile Jakub Novotny