Para-triathlete Martin Schulz: “You can't afford any weaknesses”

Words by Robert Birnbaum. Photography by Daniel Vazquez.

[September 2024: Martin Schulz took Bronze at the PTS5 event at the Triathlon Paralympic Games with a time of 59:19].

“I just have to try a little harder. Then maybe I'll be better than the others.”

Martin Schulz was born without a left forearm. Even as a child, he showed an iron will. What he didn't know at the time was that this determination would make him the most successful para-triathlete in the world. 

“I enjoyed exercise ever since I was a child. Despite my disability, I was always one of the best in gym class. Whenever I couldn't do something, I never saw my disability as the reason for it.”

Today, two gold medals at the Paralympic Games, four World Championship titles and eleven European Championship titles headline the German para-triathlete's medal collection – and it continues to grow. However, Schulz's sporting career did not start as a para-triathlete, but in the swimming pool.

“My parents wanted me to learn to look after myself from an early age, so I started taking swimming lessons at the age of five. I was the first one in the group who could swim. The swimming teacher at the time recognized my talent and I was soon swimming in regional and national competitions.”

Schulz's path in sport didn’t initially follow any ambitious goals. However, anyone who saw him swim knew that the goals would follow.

“I started taking swimming lessons at the age of five. I was the first one in the group who could swim.”

“At the time, it wasn't the plan for me to swim at a competitive level. My parents just wanted me to exercise, and swimming is healthy. At some point, I came into contact with para-sports and that's how I progressed from the state squad to the national youth team. At the age of 14, I transferred to a sports high school and my journey began – from swimming to the Paralympics.”

In 2012, Schulz was selected to represent Germany as a swimmer in London. He describes his experience as, “not extremely successful, but still an experience I will never forget.”

“I fought for many years to make it. But I was simply overwhelmed when I got there. The event was huge and the stadiums were packed. I fell short of my expectations because of my inexperience and big ambitions.”

Schulz quickly shifted his focus to the future and triathlon was due to become a Paralympic sport in 2016. Though his training was entirely dedicated to swimming, triathlon had long held a special place in his heart. 

“When I was 14, my uncle spontaneously took me to his last triathlon. He thought I was just coming to watch, but when he came to pick me up on Sunday morning, I was waiting by the front door with my bike and wanted to tag along. I won my age group with subpar equipment and without a left forearm – people started taking notice of me.”

On hearing triathlon would become a Paralympic sport, Schulz "just wanted to see where I stood." Without any specific training, but exceptional performance potential, he competed at the European Championships. The result: gold, with over three minutes to second place. But despite his early success, the switch from swimming to triathlon was no easy decision. 

"I had invested a lot in swimming, but it was the right decision to get into triathlon. I simply had more talent and passion for it. I always wanted to be good in all sports, in all disciplines. A sport with three disciplines lends itself to this well. Right from the start, I was better on the bike than some people who already had been riding for years. The talent and the motor were already there, it just needed to be specialized a little for the triathlon."

Schulz's success in the para-triathlon did not go unnoticed. At the German national triathlon league, he delivered performances that helped his team gain promotion to the top division. 

“I also competed in the top league and usually finished middle of the pack – to the annoyance of many able-bodied triathletes, who were teased by their coaches when I beat them in the swim. In addition to training, it takes talent for me to be able to compete despite my limitations.”

“I always wanted to be good in all sports, in all disciplines.”

“I had good physiological values for endurance sports right from the start. I also have an iron will in training. I want to keep developing and find out which adjustments I can still make. But I also don't want to train blindly. Instead, I double down on the details that make the difference in the end.”

Despite a high level of endurance, Schulz's transformation from swimmer to triathlete was not yet complete. He remembers the gradual process of balancing his performance in the three disciplines. 

“At the beginning, in particular, I had to work on my running. At the same time, my body needed time to adapt to the strain. That's when I leaned more on cycling and swimming. Today, I try to work meticulously on all three disciplines. You have to put an emphasis on your weaknesses, even if it's not always easy.” 

As a sprint-distance para-triathlete, Schulz first swims 750m before completing a 20km bike course. In the process, he needs to conserve enough energy for a lightning-fast 5km run. 

“You always have to look at the big picture. You can't afford a weakness in any discipline, but ultimately, the race is decided on the run.”

Few people know this better than Schulz, who, as a talented cyclist with a background in swimming, is often the first to get off his bike. However, he can no longer rely on this buffer to win elite races – nor does he have to. 

“You can't afford to be weak in any discipline, but the race is ultimately decided on the run.”

“My competitors caught up in the swim and bike. But I took it up a notch on the run. Lately, I've often got off the bike without a huge gap and still managed to win the race on the run.”

The secret to his running success: consistency. And focusing on what matters most.

“Over the years, I've continuously increased the volume and intensity of my running training. You can do more training hours on the bike and in the water because it's not as strenuous as running. During training, I focus on what helps me take the next step – without looking at what others are doing.”

While Schulz's focus remains on himself, the world of para-triathlon has come to expect nothing but excellence from the 34-year-old. 

“Before Rio, I had already been world champion three times. Everyone expected me to win gold. That pressure does something to you. There was only plan A for me – and everyone else had the same expectations. You can thrive under pressure like that. But it can also put an incredible weight on your shoulders.”

“I focus on what helps me take the next step – without looking at what others are doing.”

In addition to the pressure of expectation, Schulz also has to master everyday life. Compared with able-bodied athletes, he has received less financial support from the German federation. At the same time as his de-facto full-time job as an athlete, he also completed a commercial apprenticeship after graduating from high school. 

“That was a huge double burden. By winning in Rio, I had hoped that [the funding] would get better. That I might get the chance to focus purely on sports. But after the Games, the funding was discontinued and my contract of employment was set to expire. I was frustrated and didn't know what to do. I made my frustration public and pointed out the differences between Olympic and Paralympic funding. Many able-bodied athletes are covered by traditional sports support groups such as the police or the German armed forces [where they receive a salary and basic training while getting to fully focus on training and recovery]. This is not possible in para-sport. However, performance expectations went up drastically. It was my job to make the whole thing public.”

“After that, a lot happened. I finally found a solution to receive permanent financial support and became a full-time pro. I was able to prepare for competitions without having to neglect my life. If the sport you love becomes a burden and your private life suffers as a result, you can no longer perform at your best.”

Schulz began campaigning for better promotion and recognition in para-sports that continues after the Games. He is confident progress is being made, but still sees opportunities for para-sport to grow. Not just for the sake of the sports, but for the athletes who need support to reach their sporting potential.

“Funding and media attention are on the right track – but I believe more attention needs to be on what’s possible. Which para-sports exist? Who can compete? There also needs to be more access for children with severe disabilities. Many gyms and swimming pools are inaccessible for people with a disability.”

Schulz's advice for people with disabilities who want to take up para-sports: 

“In the beginning, you have to find something you really enjoy. But then there will certainly come a point when it's not just fun. But you have to keep at it. You shouldn't let setbacks demotivate you, they're just part of the game. Have the courage to take uncomfortable steps.”

“Sport can give back much more than it seems to take away. Sport teaches you a lot about life and emotional maturity that you don't otherwise learn in life. In sports where you sometimes have to struggle, you learn what it means to fight your way through something together. Those who learn from their setbacks will be successful in the end.”

In this sense, Schulz measures success not only in terms of medals. He sees what people with disabilities can change in the world and what the world can learn from them. 

“In life, you often get lost in small excuses. When you then see what some people accomplish despite severe limitations. That not everything is always easy. There are athletes who achieve so much more than I do in order to cope with everyday life. I tip my hat to them. Many people could take a page out of their book.”