Coach who defied odds dies aged 46

INCREDIBLE man. . . table tennis coach Stefan Trofan

OLDHAM-BORN Paralympic medal winner Stefan Trofan has died only days before seeing the team he helped to coach will compete in Beijing.

The 12-day games start on Saturday and Stefan, who was 46, was part of the table tennis squad.

He died from cancer on August 21 at the home he shared in Sheffield with his wife Kavina and their 15-year-old son, Jordan.

Stefan had a prolific career in table tennis, and competed in more than 50 international events, including four European championships, a world championship, and the Paralympics in both Sydney and Athens.

He won two Paralympic silvers among numerous other national and international championship medals, including 13 golds.

Stefan, who was a keen footballer in his youth, was paralysed from the waist down at the age of 17 when he was involved in an accident while riding his bicycle.

He spent 18 months in hospital before he came back to Oldham to live with his parents Maria and Wasyl, brother Roman and sister Linda.

Stefan attended Greenhill School and Hathershaw School, and was also known for designing graphics for Star Wars computer games.

He moved to Sheffield 23 years ago, when he married Kavina, but his parents still live in Oldham.

Stefan was an inspiration to other disabled athletes after reaching the top of his sport despite losing the use of his right hand and having to learn to play left-handed.

He was a coach for the last three years, and worked with Team England’s elite athletes in their preparation for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Tributes have flooded in to a man described as a fighter, a perfectionist and an inspiration with a big smile.

Family friend Stefan Moroz, from Lees, said: “Stefan bounced back from his accident, went to the top and travelled around the world in his sport then went on to become an internationally recognised elite coach.

“He was an absolutely incredible man.”

Stefan’s brother Roman said: “He will be deeply missed.”

The funeral service will be held tomorrow at St John’s Church, Handsworth, Sheffield, at 12.30pm.