Published on: 03/09/2021 Updated on: 20/02/2025

Katia Aere: a bronze strongly desired

At the end of a very tough competition, Katia Aere conquered the bronze medal in the women's handbike race category H5 at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. An achievement that fills us with pride and makes us appreciate even more values such as determination and passion for sports.

All of our sponsorships are based on a deep connection with our Champions, made up of sharing passions, but also values and goals. One partnership that fills us with pride is the one with Katia Aere, and today we celebrate with her the splendid bronze medal she won in the women's handbike category H5 race at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. A result strongly desired and won after a very hard race, which saw our athlete take a well-deserved third place, behind the American Martens (Gold) and the Chinese Sun (Silver). Katia's first words were for Alex Zanardi, her mentor, with a special dedication for winning this incredible bronze medal!

Beyond all limits

The story of Katia Aere is definitely a example of strength and determination for all of us. Originally from Spilimbergo, the city of mosaics in the province of Pordenone, she was diagnosed in 2003 with an autoimmune disease that destroyed her muscles. But Katia "Challenges fate and prognostications by learning that with heart and mind you cross boundaries": this is how she began her competitive activity in swimming and, immediately, began to conquer record after record. The champion boasts an excellent palmares, in which several tricolour titles stand out, and as of today also a prestigious Paralympic title.

Passion for handbiking is born

Since 2018, Katia has joined the team of Objective 3, the project conceived and founded by Alex Zanardi, the one whom she herself calls "her inspirer." Objective 3 is now an active entity with a nationwide presence, carrying on the dream of its founder: To bring and involve as many people as possible in all forms of sports discipline. And it is thanks to the meeting with Alex Zanardi that. Katia He combines swimming pool training with handbike training. Thus was also born his big "Olympic dream in the drawer," participating in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Katia's strength

The message that Katia wants to convey to all of us through her sports activities is to "Don't be afraid ... because it is fear that makes us immobile and not illness or the difficulties of life.". "No fear" is therefore her mantra, which we definitely want to make a little bit of our own as well. And it is precisely the attitude of "foreclosing nothing and remaining open to life's opportunities" that has led Katia to achieve great things nationally and internationally.

Italy stars at Tokyo Paralympics

Le Tokyo Paralympics are seeing the Italian expedition take the lead in all sports. Our athletes are racking up medals surpassing all expectations. The kermesse, which began on Aug. 24, will end on September 6. It is about the 16th Paralympic Games, a story born in Italy, in Rome in 1960. As the years passed, Paralympics have been increasingly able to raise public awareness, involving an increasing number of viewers in the stands and achieving increasing success in terms of media coverage.

An incredible race

The race of women's handbike category H5 proved to be very tough right away. Katia Aere put all her determination into achieving a strongly desired goal. They were 66 km run almost all solo, like a very long time trial. Katia kept her pace at all times and, mile after mile, what was initially a dream turned into a wonderful reality. At her first participation in the Paralympics and a few days after turning 50 years, Katia Aere crowned her life's dream, winning an incredible bronze medal!

"Age is just a number: it's never too late for anything, you must always believe in your possibilities and cultivate them to the best of your ability." These were Katia's first statements. Then a special dedication: "I will always thank Alex Zanardì, because it is also thanks to him that I learned to love this sport. This medal is also his."

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

We at Mafra would like to congratulate Katia on her splendid achievement. We like to repeat a phrase from Walt Disney which we know is also one of his mottos: "If you can dream it, you can do it." ... And we dreamed together with Katia!