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An 11-year-old with paraplegia's sporting journey

Oliver Moody
January 2, 2026

Nomine Fabian is ready to take on the world. At age 11 she is already a sailing champion and an aspiring para athlete. While she dreams of one day taking part in the Paralympics, Nomi has already gained confidence, determination and an unshakeable will to live every moment from her sporting journey, and proved that a disability cannot hold her back.

https://p.dw.com/p/50gio

At just 11 years old, Nomine Fabian is already making waves in the world of para sports. After an operation left her with incomplete paraplegia, she found strength and purpose through sailing. Together with her partner Jola, Nomi competed in the Helga Cup, the world’s largest women’s regatta, proving that disability  is no barrier to elite competition. From mastering the helm to inspiring others with her resilience, Nomi’s journey is one of determination, teamwork, and joy. Whether on the water or at the archery range, she’s chasing her Paralympic dream, and showing what’s possible when you never give up.

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About the show

The DW Sports Life show logo is seen next to a composite image of a male athlete in a wheelchair, a female athlete holding up a skateboard and another female athlete flexing her right biceps

Sports Life — Overcoming Challenges with Sports

Everything we know about life can be found in sports: Success and failure, euphoria and despair. Sports Life tells stories from across the globe, where sports drives personal growth and changes lives.