Athletes To Watch In Italy: Oksana Master
As the Paralympic Winter Games unfold in Italy, few athletes embody the spirit of adaptive sport quite like Oksana Masters. One of the most decorated Paralympians of her generation, Masters has built an extraordinary career across both Summer and Winter Paralympic sports, becoming a defining figure in Nordic skiing and a powerful voice for disability representation.
Masters was born in Ukraine in 1989, with multiple limb differences believed to be linked to the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. She was born with significant congenital impairments affecting her legs, hands, and other parts of her body, and spent the early years of her life in orphanages before being adopted by an American mother and moving to the United States. As a teenager, she underwent bilateral above-knee amputations to improve mobility and quality of life.
Sport became a turning point. Masters initially rose to prominence in para rowing, winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. She later transitioned to winter sports, discovering Nordic skiing and biathlon; disciplines that demand extraordinary endurance, technical precision, and mental resilience.
Her impact on the Winter Paralympics was immediate. At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, Masters captured two medals in cross-country skiing, announcing herself as one of the top athletes in the sport. She then delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the 2022 Winter Paralympics, winning multiple gold medals in both cross-country skiing and biathlon, further cementing her status among the elite in Paralympic Nordic sport.
Beyond her results on the snow, Masters has become one of the most recognizable ambassadors for adaptive sport. She has spoken openly about her journey - from childhood adversity and complex medical challenges to elite sport - and has used her platform to raise awareness about limb difference, adoption, and disability inclusion.
Now competing again on the Paralympic stage, Oksana Masters remains one of the most compelling athletes to follow in Italy, combining extraordinary endurance, competitive drive, and a commitment to expanding the visibility of athletes with disabilities. While writing this article, Oksana just won the 20th Paralympic Medal of her career. 'Congratulations!'
For those interested in prosthetics, rehabilitation, adaptive sport, or simply world-class competition, her races in cross-country skiing and biathlon are always worth watching.
Follow Oksana Masters on Instagram.
Post by Bjoern Eser. Bjoern is the founder of and shaker and maker behind The Active Amputee.
Further Reading
Accept, adapt, achieve
Life after amputation may feel like venturing into unknown territory. From learning how to move your new body to researching the costs of activity-specialized prosthetic arms & legs, it is daunting and frustrating to resume an active lifestyle after limb loss. In August 2021, I lost my left leg in an emergency above-knee amputation. I could not fathom what my life would look like post-op. In the hospital, I promised myself to take advantage of every opportunity I came across and to attempt activities outside my comfort zone. I needed to resume living, and for me, that meant returning to activities as soon as possible. "Accept, adapt, achieve" became my new motto. read more
Dealing with volume fluctuations
Here is a problem many active above knee amputees know all too well. A problem that is often overlooked as more and more attention is given to the newest developments around high-tech knees and other exciting advancements in the prosthetic sector. It’s the problem of a proper fit of the socket. It’s the key to using your prosthetic leg to its full potential. And how to deal with fluctuations in the volume of your residual limb - and thus with the fit of your socket. Read more
Cycling to regain my life
Today’s article is all about cycling and how it helped Stephen from South Africa’s wonderful Western Cape to come back after a tragic motorcycle accident. The idea for the interview arose during a chat with Jen from ClickMedical, who mentioned Stephen and his inspiring outdoor adventures and brokered the contact. „Thanks Jen I really appreciate these contacts!“ Here is my interview with Stephen. Enjoy! read more