Taliso Engel: freedom and success in the water
With an unshakeable will and boundless ambition, this young German para-swimmer Taliso Engel has fought his way to the shining pinnacle of international swimming - despite his visual impairment. His gold medal win at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo is not just a triumph over the water, but a moving testimony to the fact that true strength comes from within.
You can find out where Taliso draws this inner strength from, what Taliso does in his everyday life and how important the topic of "regeneration" is to him in the following lines.
"In order to be able to practise my sport at such a high level, regeneration is essential, because without good recovery I can't go beyond my limits every day and perform well."
Quick facts
Name: Taliso Engel
Reboots product: Reboots Go Lite Pants 2.0 Set
Sport: (Para)swimmer
Nationality: Germany
Greatest success: Gold and world record at the 2021 Paralympics in Japan
Taliso in an interview
1. What sport do you do and how did you get into it?
I am a swimmer / para-swimmer. Para because I have had a severe visual impairment since birth. That's also one of the reasons I got into swimming.
My mum always wanted me to be able to swim well precisely because of my visual impairment, as with around 5% vision you might not always be able to see the nearest shore, for example in a swimming lake. That's why she always took me to the swimming pool when I was very young. At some point, I started swimming lessons and as I always had a lot of fun swimming and being in the water, I stuck with it.
Since I started swimming, however, I have been training in a team with "non-disabled" athletes. Which is why I still compete in both Olympic and Paralympic competitions.
2. What makes your sport special?
The special thing about swimming for me is that I always feel weightless and free in the water. At the same time, you can just keep working on your technique and no two training sessions are the same.
3. What has been your greatest sporting success to date?
The gold medal with a world record in the 100m breaststroke at my first Paralympics in Tokyo in 2021. But also my first World Championship gold at the age of 17, as this was simply super unexpected.
4 . How do you deal with a "hole" after a big competition?
I've been lucky so far that I've honestly never had anything like a "hole" or "down" after a big competition. But I think that my friends, family and coaches would definitely stand behind me and support me if I ever fell into such a "hole".
5 . What is your hobby outside of sport?
The combination of competitive sport and studying doesn't leave much time for hobbies. However, I always enjoy spending time with my friends or with my girlfriend in the village. When training allows, I also enjoy travelling, whether it's to foreign cities or the seaside.
Fun facts
What is your favourite song to listen to during regeneration?
There's no particular one, the main thing is something relaxing that I can switch off to.
Your favourite place for regeneration with Reboots is.... My sofa
Who would you like to swap places with for a day? Why?
Johannes Lochner, because there's always something going on with him and funny things happen.
What is your hidden talent? Eating a lot.
It's just us here: tell us a fun fact about yourself that nobody knows yet!
Sometimes I use my nose to tap things on the Hany because I'm always so close to the screen anyway due to my visual impairment.
Everything about recovery
1. What does perfect regeneration look like for you?
In my opinion, the most important thing for good regeneration is a good night's sleep. But before that, I definitely have to go to my Reboots, eat something good and, if possible, have a sauna and an ice bath.
2. When is your favourite time to use your Reboots?
I prefer to use my Reboots after very hard, highly lactacidic training sessions and after competitions.
3. How important is "regeneration" for you?
In order to be able to practise my sport at such a high level, regeneration is essential. Because without good recovery, I can't go beyond my limits every day and perform well.
4. What are your top 3 tips and tricks for preparing for training and subsequent recovery?
1. good, high-quality food, both before and after training. Because without the right nutrients, we can't go full throttle or recover well.
2. reboots - either before training with one of the activation programmes to activate the muscles, or after training for regeneration.
3. mobility - because full performance cannot be achieved without full freedom of movement
5. What do you do while you are in the Reboots?
I often sit in the Reboots with my laptop and answer emails. But I also often just relax, listen to music or go on Instagram.
6. What does the perfect day look like for you?
A training session in the morning, doing something for the rest of the day, preferably in good weather, and eating something delicious in the evening. However, that's just one of many options.
I also really enjoy a day without training, sleeping in and then spending the day relaxing with friends and family.