Slovenian Toni Vodisek achieved his Olympic dream at the 33rd Summer Olympic Games recently held in Paris, winning the silver medal in the men’s Olympic kite final at the Marseille Marina. Vodisek competed against Gold Medalist Valentin Pontus from Austria and the bronze medalist, Singaporean Max Maeder.

Vodisek realized a dream he had nurtured for years as one of the stars in this exciting sport, which made its Summer Olympic debut in Paris following the announcement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Since then, he has pursued his dream, with the UAE playing a significant role as his training ground in the past season.

Toni has competed in the Dubai Kitesurf Open, organized by the Dubai International Marine Club, every season since 2020-2021. During these competitions, he has conducted intensive training on the beaches of Dubai, which are bustling with activities, especially kite surfing.

The infrastructure available on the beaches of Jumeirah, specifically at Nesnass and Kite Beach, has greatly benefited Toni. The presence of a supportive community and practitioners from various nationalities, along with several academies and championships organized by the Dubai International Marine Club, has contributed to his development. He excelled in the Hydrofoil Category, competing alongside elite national champions and residents.

Toni Vodisek participated for the first time in the Dubai Kitesurf Championship during the 2020-2021 season. At that time, he noted that competing in the championship was a significant challenge due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it served as excellent preparation. He trained extensively, including a long training camp on the beaches of Dubai with his family, which motivated him to participate again in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons.

The Slovenian champion, Toni Vodisek, has continued to praise the championships organized by the Dubai International Marine Club and the facilities available in Dubai. He believes that Dubai is a prime destination for those seeking success in various fields. Toni has expressed confidence that Dubai will be a stepping stone towards brilliance in the Olympic Games in Paris and achieving his dream of winning an Olympic medal, with his sights set on the silver medal in Marseille.