Carinthians in Pakistan

Brutal luck! Olympic ace narrowly escapes death

Mario Leitner threw himself into the raging Indus in Pakistan - luckily he was rescued by rope from a life-threatening situation.

(Bild: David Vory Sodomka)

Kayak ace Mario Leitner is known all over the world for his extreme adventures. In Pakistan, however, the 27-year-old Rio 2016 Olympian reached his limits. "I was completely at the mercy of the water and almost died," he recalls in an interview with Die Krone. But just one day later, he was back in the canoe - and has long since set his sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

This May, a colleague of Carinthia's kayak ace Mario Leitner drowned while paddling. Shortly afterwards, the Glanegg native won silver at the European Championships and dedicated the medal to his deceased friend. Less than two weeks ago, Leitner himself jumped from the brink of death. "It was brutally close. I first have to get over it mentally. Even though I love such extremes and know that the danger is always there - that was too much," says the 27-year-old.

It was really close, the situation was life-threatening. I just made sure I stayed afloat.

Mario Leitner

Paddling for his life
During a trip in Pakistan, he found himself in an extremely tricky situation on the Indus River, which was a good 50 meters wide: the Rio 2016 Olympian had to paddle for his life for 30 seconds - before a member of the adventure group threw him a rope and pulled him out with great effort. "I was completely at the mercy of the water. The river rushes towards you with an incredible current, you're a passenger," says Leitner.

The spot had already been classified as risky by the group in advance - which is the only reason why a helper with a rope was standing nearby. "I never thought I could drift down there. The river keeps running under the rocks, the current pulls you right down - I did everything I could to stay afloat. Otherwise you'll never surface again."

The next day, he was back in the canoe. "Otherwise you'll be scared for the rest of your life - but I avoided dangerous spots."

The kayak was recovered by the team - only the paddles were gone.

(Bild: David Vory Sodomka)

Taliban territory
The team of seven spent a total of two and a half weeks in the 160 km long gorge, often spending the night in tents. "There is danger in many areas because of the Taliban - but we usually had police protection," says Mario, who has experienced many such extreme adventures in recent years. "Pakistan was always at the top of my list, I really wanted to go there. And that certainly wasn't my last extreme adventure!"

The World Cup athlete also has big sporting plans. "The World Championships in Sydney 2025 are an emotional event - I won the Junior World Championships there in 2014. And of course the 2028 Olympics in the USA is the long-term goal!"