Karl Feifar

Karl Peter Thomas Feifar, OAM (5 January 1973 – 29 May 2009) was an indigenous Australian amputee athlete and Paralympic competitor.

Personal Feifar was born in the Perth suburb of Subiaco in 1973. His parents were Wendy and Peter. His deformed foot was amputated at birth. His parents encouraged him to play sport. Feifar commented Even as a kid, if I fell down, my mother would tell me to pick myself up and keep going. My parents gave me the positive will to succeed. He had worked for Australia Post as a driver. He had a partner, Kathleen, and a daughter. After these Championships, he accepted a scholarship in the newly established Australian Institute of Sport Athletes with a Disabilities program and was coached by Chris Nunn. In 1993, he retired from competition. His coach Chris Nunn was quoted as saying: "Karl was extremely talented but due to early retirement he didn't realise his full potential".

Death

Feifar died of a heart attack on 29 May 2009. 1990 – Young Aboriginal Athlete of the Year 1992 – Medal of the Order of Australia after his 1992 gold medal.