Libby Kosmala (OAM) has competed in 12 Paralympic games as a Para-shooter, earning an incredible 13 medals and earning herself a place in the Sports Australia Hall of Fame. She’s been described as an emblem of resilience, dedication, and defying limitations.

But here's the thing: her story is so much more than just winning medals (albeit an amazing achievement!). There are many lessons to be learned, and inspiration to take, from Libby about overcoming adversities and working hard to achieve your goals.

No matter what your circumstances, whether you have incontinence or another health condition, we hope this article motivates and inspires you to live life on your terms

Libby Kosmala's Early Life & Embracing Sport

Born Elizabeth Richards in 1942, Libby experienced spinal complications that left her paraplegic.

Despite some struggles throughout growing up, she didn’t let her diagnosis define her. In her early twenties, she met a fellow patient at Royal Adelaide Hospital who introduced her to the world of wheelchair sports.

Libby’s athletic talent couldn’t be denied! In 1966, she competed in the National Wheelchair Games, showing her skills in foil fencing, swimming, wheelchair racing, field events, and even archery!

But for her, this wasn't just about winning. It was about showing everyone what she could do and proving that limitations were just suggestions.

An Unforgettable Paralympic Debut

Libby’s paralympic journey started in 1968, but not quite the way she planned. Due to a selection mix-up, she ended up working as a secretary for the Australian Team at the Tel Aviv Paralympics. This setback only fuelled her desire to compete on the big stage!

Two years later, she made it and succeeded at the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games, where she won gold medals in archery and foil fencing, a silver in pentathlon, and a collection of bronze medals in swimming and wheelchair racing. As you can imagine, this amazing performance across such varied sports positioned her as a force to be reckoned with in the Paralympic arena.

While Libby excelled in multiple sports, para-shooting was her calling. In 1972, she decided to change disciplines and began competing in air rifle events which catapulted her Paralympic career into legendary status.

She went on to compete in a staggering 12 Paralympic Games, from 1972 to 2016, and won nine golds, three silvers and one bronze. But her most impressive performance was during the 1984 Stoke Mandeville Games, where she won gold in all four air rifle events and shattered four world records in the process.

After competing in her final Paralympic games in 2016 at the age of 72, Libby announced her retirement in 2020.

Overcoming Incontinence: A Challenge Faced by Many Athletes

While Libby's hasn’t publicly revealed having incontinence, the condition is experienced by many athletes, including Paralympians.

A study by the International Journal of Sports Medicine found that 22.9% if participants self-reported urinary incontinence, while 60.7% had stress incontinence [1].

There are a few reasons for this, including the intense physical demands of training and competing, putting a huge amount of stress on the body, and certain medical conditions can also contribute.

The Importance of Open Communication for Those With Incontinence

Athlete or not, if you’re managing incontinence, open communication with healthcare professionals is extremely important for your physical and mental health.

Identifying the cause, exploring incontinence management solutions, keeping a healthy, balanced diet and developing a tailored treatment plan are all essential steps in ensuring overall wellbeing - and peak performance when it comes to athletes!

Openly seeking help for your incontinence means you’ll receive the right diagnosis and treatment and can live life confidently and comfortably.

You can go on to achieve great things - whether that’s becoming a Paralympian or learning a new skill - every achievement is amazing.

Libby's Legacy: A Champion On & Off the Field

Libby's Paralympic career is beyond inspiring, but her impact extends far beyond the world of sport. She’s also an advocate for disability rights and accessibility.

She was extremely influential in procuring parking permits for people with disabilities in South Australia in the 1970s and was a mentor for the next generation of Australian Paralympic shooters.

Libby really is a role model for people living with disabilities, and frankly, anyone chasing a dream! No matter what challenges you face, Libby's story is a reminder that you can achieve your goals if you put your mind to it.

Athletes like Libby Kosmala are powerful examples of how health conditions don’t have to define you or hold you back.