What is the Cybathlon?
The Cybathlon is a competition organized by ETH Zurich where individuals with physical disabilities compete in performing everyday tasks with the help of technical assistance systems. The finals took place on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Swiss Arena in Kloten.
A Shock Before the Finals
Preparation for the competition didn’t go smoothly. The day before the final Sunday, hybrid exoskeleton pilot Thomas Krieg had to withdraw due to health reasons. This left the two OST teams, Varileg enhanced and Robility enhanced, with only one active pilot—Rolf Schoch. Although Schoch had only trained with the robotic wheelchair under competition conditions this year, he had already piloted the exoskeleton’s previous version at the 2020 Cybathlon.
Stronger as a Team
Schoch undertook a grueling schedule. After two days filled with medical checks, training sessions, and qualification races in both disciplines, he competed in four races within five hours on the final day. Schoch wasn’t alone in the arena, however. The technical leads of both teams, Benjamin Eggimann and Cédric Niklaus, accompanied him during the races, offering coaching advice from the sidelines. A spotter team was also ready at all times to support both pilot and device in the event of technical issues.
Two Silver Medals, Two Personal Bests
Expectations were high after winning wheelchair gold medals in 2016 and 2020, and the fans of the two OST teams were not disappointed. In the wheelchair finals, Schoch secured the silver medal with a personal best. Shortly afterward, he repeated this achievement with the exoskeleton. Schoch is the only pilot to have won two medals and trophies in a single Cybathlon, which garnered international attention. Media teams from Taiwan, Japan, and the United Kingdom took the opportunity to interview the OST pilot.