Source: Mitterbayerische | Translation: Ulla Fischer - With Claus Wotruba, the kayak athletes Christian and Dominik Mathes from Regensburg talk about their big goal: the Paralympics 2016 in Rio. Christian Mathes is proud owner of a world cup bronze medal. In 2016 the athlete from Regensburg wants to compete at the Paralympics in Brazil.

To go on the water in order to race in a boat is already something unusual for a pedestrian. For someone sitting in a wheelchair, it must be even more out of the ordinary?
Christian Mathes: Actually, it was all a coincidence. We have been to a couple of events where wheelchair users could try out all sorts of activities: climbing, swimming, driving a ship, playing mini golf. In 2011, Tine Wilholm, together with Peter Dietl, offered canoeing for wheelchair users. It was great fun and we did not do too badly as well.

What have you done before that experience? 
Christian Mathes: A lot. We played a little wheelchair basketball, did a little sport here and there. Nevertheless, that was no competitive sports, not even regular hobby- sports.

Where did the idea, to enter into competitive sports, come from?
Christian Mathes: That came with every success. It is also still a lot of fun. The performance idea does not necessarily exclude the fun factor. That is also due to the brilliant team here in Regensburg.

The time has never been better. Para canoe will be introduced for the first time at the Paralympics in Rio 2016. Back then, this was still not foreseeable or in the picture, was it?
Christian Mathes: Not at all. Actually, we had no expectations or goals. Our motto was: we take it as it comes. Then everything just developed. I would never have thought I would participate in the world championships the following year, let alone winning the bronze medal.

It seems as if Christian has bigger chances to go to Rio?
Dominik Mathes: That is true (laughs). I am not as fast as Christian, but I am happy for him and grant him his success. Sometimes it is annoying to paddle behind him over a longer time but it usually motivates to have him in front of me. It gets more difficult if you have no one in front of you.

Then it must be quite difficult for Christian, because no one in Germany is in front of him at the moment.
Christian Mathes: From time to time I train in Munich where I am also behind sometimes. Dominik starts in a higher class than I do and already catches up on me a bit.

Many do not know how much effort is behind all of this, also in disabled sports.
Christian Mathes: It definitely involves a lot of people. We could not do it on our own. I have the best team in all Bavaria. Others don’t get the services I do, with two trainers and a sports buddy. This is why I have always been ahead of everyone within Germany. Unfortunately, my team does not compete internationally. And, of cause, intensive training is also part of all this.

What kind of training do you do?
Christian Mathes: Naturally, the training on the water is the most important. During the race season, I train on the Donau every Tuesdays and Sundays and go to Munich every Wednesday. There, the state coach takes a look at it and gives advice. On the basis of that, I get my trainings plan. This entails weight training and riding the hand- bike, for example. It is far more than just paddling. I especially have to work on strength and endurance.

Did you ever consider to race with the hand-bike?
Christian Mathes: For me, paddling is just perfect. Most strength is used in the upper body. I cannot use my feet, but the upper body. It was coincidence that Tine has been at the event that day and not a Wheelchair- racer.

Do you forget about the disability on the water?
Christian Mathes: Absolutely, because I don’t need my legs there.
Dominik Mathes: I don’t know. I have to use my hips as well and sometimes the boat makes a move that I can’t work against with my legs. This is where I have to be cautious.

Where do your disabilities come from?
Christian Mathes: It is inherited. We shared it brotherly. We both have the same disability: a spasticity of the legs.

When you grow up with it, do you miss certain things sometimes?
Christian Mathes: No, it is not noticeable at all. We both went to a regular kindergarten, primary school and grammar school. If we hadn’t, it might have been more noticeable and affecting.
Dominik Mathes: Our mother always wanted us to grow up and live as normal as possible. I will never forget when I was told that I could never ride a bike without training wheels. But I wanted that so badly and by now, we can both do that easily. Other things, like never being able to play soccer, we simply need to accept.

Is it a problem for you if the disabled sports is sometimes declassified and not acknowledged enough? 
Christian Mathes: It is important that it is published in newspapers. If it is only published in wheelchair association- magazines, it will stay in the same circles. We are also glad, that our competitions are held together with those of the pedestrians.

Para canoe booms, especially since it became clear that it will be part of the Paralympics. 
Christian Mathes: In the past years, the best time on the 200m has improved by 4 seconds per year. This shows that there is room for improvement: material and seats. This is also improvable internationally. Some countries, such as Great Britain invest a lot of money into that at the moment. They come with two busses for their athletes and build up big tents with paddle ergometers. In our team, everybody has its own boat, but that was it. This is why the Brits are often in the top three. It is also a battle of the right material. In my discipline, the seat is probably the most important, while the boats are pretty much the same.

How probable is it that you will make it to Rio? Is it enough to be German champion, fourth place at the world championship 2014 and bronze medal winner at the world championships 2013 to be in some kind of selection team?
Christian Mathes: It is crucial to score one of the first 6 ranks at the world championships next year. Additionally, one has to be best in Germany. For that reason, sightings are performed. Whoever scores at those and secures the right ranks at the WC makes it to the Paralympics. So the final decisions will only be made in late summer next year.

Christian has the better cards at the moment, but does maybe another Mathes go to Rio as well?
Dominik Mathes: Sure, I am interested. I have to see that I improve in the outrigger. This is my goal for the beginning of next year. In my category, the WC- competitor is still a few seconds faster than I.