International Triathlon Union

Athlete Biography

Peter graduated as a social worker in 2004, then he obtained a swimming and triathlon coach certificate. He worked in a drug rehab for 4 years with young drug users. Now he works as a PE teacher in a special needs school with mentally disabled children. He met his fiancée through sport; she is an age-grouper triathlete.

Peter was born with lower-arm impairment. He started his sports career as a swimmer at the age of 8. He was a member of the Athen Paralymics Games swimming team in 2004, but unfortunately did not get to compete at the Paralymics at the end. His disappointment motivated him to turn to triathlon, which was also a new challenge for him. His first paratriathlon race was the ITU World Championship in Hamburg in 2007 where he finished 4th in his category (Tri4). Peter won the 2008 ITU European Championship in Lisbon and finished 2nd in World Championship in Vancouver in category Tri4. The year 2009 was even more successful for him; he won both the ITU European Championship in Holten and World Championship in Gold Coast.

Peter’s triathlon goals are to win the ITU World Championship in Budapest in 2010m to compete in the Kona Hawaii Ironman World Championship, and to race in the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Athlete Sponsors: Univer, Saucony, Cratoni, Orbea, Isostar, Xiont, Zoggs, Garmin, Foundation for Disabled Athletes, FFWD

Athlete Language: Hungarian, German

Athlete Tri Entry Year: 2005

Athlete Other Sports: Xterra, mountain biking, skiing

Athlete Education: Social worker degree, special needs assistant certificate, swimming & triathlon coach

Athlete Proudest Moment: Winning the ITU World Championship in 2009 at Gold Coast, and completing the King of the Mountains Xterra and mountain bike marathon race.

Athlete Coach: Peter Balla