Christoph Depaoli and his teammates are competing for a medal at the Paralympics. © private

Stronger than fate: A man from Kaltern dreams of great things

The Paralympics are just around the corner – and seven South Tyroleans are among the participants. Christoph Depaoli, one of the great hopes of Italy's para ice hockey team, shared his impressive story with us beforehand.

March 05, 2026

The interview with Christoph Depaoli takes place by telephone. At that time, the Kaltern native is in Turin with the Italian national team, where they are fine-tuning the final details before the big highlight, the Paralympics. And although there is a distance of 300 kilometers between the two telephone receivers, you can practically feel the energy, the anticipation, the fire of the para ice hockey player. "We're all totally hyped," says Depaoli.

The 28-year-old from Überetsch forms the South Tyrolean team for para ice hockey (also known as sledge hockey) together with Julian Kasslatter (43, St. Christina), Alex Enderle (27, Eppan), Stephan Kafmann (39, Kaltern), Nils Larch (28, Sterzing), and Matteo Remotti Marnini (26, Bolzano). The local contingent is completed by para snowboarder Emanuel Perathoner (39, Lajen). So when the Paralympics open in Verona on Friday, there will be a strong presence from South Tyrol.

Christoph Depaoli (right) is one of the key players for the Azzurri.

Christoph Depaoli certainly can't wait. "The Santa Giulia Arena, with its almost 12.000 seats, is practically sold out for the opening game against the USA on Saturday. It's going to be an experience," said the 28-year-old.

Born with spina bifida

The path to this major event was anything but a given for Christoph Depaoli. His story begins on December 2, 1997, when he was born in the hospital in Sterzing – with spina bifida, or an open spine. "Immediately after my birth, I was airlifted to the hospital in Bolzano, where the opening was stitched closed, but the disability remained. It's like a paralysis that runs from my lower back down. But I'm lucky that – if I make an effort – I can move my feet and even get up on my own. I've been using crutches or a wheelchair since I was a child," says Depaoli.

“What good would it do me to constantly just complain?” Christopher Depaoli

When the man from Kaltern talks about his disability, he does so very openly – and he always emphasizes the positive aspects. "I'm a very positive person by nature, always in a good mood, and I simply try to make the best of my situation. What good would it do me to constantly complain?" This mentality has also helped Depaoli in sports. "Even as a small child, I was passionate about sports and went swimming. I always came in last among the children without disabilities, but I enjoyed it so much."

Hard to contain: striker Christoph Depaoli.

Christoph had never really had any contact with ice hockey until, at the age of ten, an acquaintance invited him to a trial practice for sledge hockey. "I loved it immediately, and I've been completely dedicated to it ever since," says Depaoli, who – as quickly became clear – possessed a great deal of talent. At just 16 years old, in 2014 in Sochi, he participated in his first Paralympic Games. Back then, Depaoli was still a young boy who soaked up every single moment of the experience. Today, before his fourth Paralympics, the athlete from Überetsch is one of the top performers on the Blue Team.

3.000 kilometers a month for training

“There are around 25 sledge hockey players in Italy, which, to be honest, isn't very many. So we're competing in a championship with just two teams. For comparison, there are 70 teams in the USA,” says Depaoli, who is all the more passionate about the sport and makes great sacrifices for this passion. When he was studying in Bruneck, Depaoli commuted several times a week to Neumarkt in his specially modified car to train. “I was driving around 3.000 kilometers a month,” laughs the Kaltern native, who now works in marketing for a company in Bolzano – and, of course, trains every day with his team and the national team.

"It would be a dream to win a medal here." Christopher Depaoli

So what are Italy's chances at the Paralympics? "Gold and silver will be decided between the USA and Canada. But bronze," adds Depaoli, "isn't impossible. If everything goes as planned, we'll be battling with China and the Czech Republic for third place." Italy has never won a medal at the Paralympics. "It would be a dream to achieve that here," says Depaoli.

Italy's program at the Paralympics

Italy – USA (Saturday, March 7 at 5:05 pm)
Italy – China (Monday, March 9 at 10:05 am)
Italy – Germany (Tuesday, March 10 at 10:05 am)

The first two teams in the group qualify for the semi-finals.