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Chasing trophies inside the arena, inspiring others outside it.

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When Steinar Lunde collapsed at home in 2022, doctors didn’t expect him to survive. Yet, just three years later, the Norwegian Para athlete has exceeded all expectations. Steinar is currently aiming for the European Para Championships in both handball and golf – even after being declared clinically dead eight times and surviving multi-organ failure.

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Near death – and back again

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An aneurysm in a major spinal artery forced Steinar to undergo emergency aortic surgery. Two and a half months after being discharged, he collapsed yet again, this time due to a leak resulting from the first operation. However, this second life-saving surgery resulted in the complete amputation of one leg, as well as the loss of the other up to his knee. He was also kept in an induced coma for five weeks.

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I still don’t fully understand how I survived. But here I am. And I’m very grateful for it.

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Steinar’s rehabilitation journey was long and tough, but he’s managed to turn a dramatic story of loss into one of resilience, achievement, and joy.

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Rediscovering an old passion

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Amid all the chaos, he found his way back to handball. The Follo Wheelchair Handball team invited him to try his hand once again at a sport he’d enjoyed more than 25 years ago, and he didn’t need to think twice. “I made my debut in a league match and even scored a goal. It felt like a huge victory,” he says, smiling as he reflects on the healing journey that started with team sports.

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Steinar’s first game back reminded him of the value of working together toward a shared goal, and how it can foster social inclusion and empowerment – perfectly underlining the SALTO FOUNDATION mission. “Team sports mean everything,” he explains. “We support each other, and if someone is feeling down, just entering the hall lifts their spirits immediately. This sense of community means the world.”
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\nTeam sports mean everything.

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Golf: another new opportunity

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While he was able to quickly jump back into the world of handball, Steinar thought golf was lost to him forever. He’d been an avid player before his illness, but after the amputation, keeping up with the game seemed impossible.

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But not long after hitting the greens again, Steinar was awarded the “Para Athlete of the Year” in golf title, along with a scholarship that allows him to pursue the sport further – an outcome that reflects SALTO FOUNDATION’s belief in the transformative power of sport.

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“What I went through was hell, but it was also the start of something new. That’s why this recognition for what I’ve achieved in such a short time means so much,” he admits.

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Finding deeper meaning

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Now, Steinar just wants to keep enjoying his time on the golf course. “Of course, you want to be good,” he says. “But I'm not dependent on being the best; the most important thing is that I feel good, that I get out. You get healthy inside…it's so nice.”

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Perhaps that’s why, even in competition, winning is never his prime focus. “I have one goal. If I walk off the last hole on the last day and haven't had fun, then I've failed.”

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I have one goal. If I walk off the last hole on the last day and haven't had fun, then I've failed.

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It’s an approach that clearly works, because Steinar has had some pretty outstanding results so far. He’s already secured a third-place finish in the Para Norway Cup and proved that he can compete with non-disabled players by winning his golf club’s championship games.

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Looking ahead, this year’s roster includes another Para Norway Cup competition and the Folksam Paragolf Tour in Sweden. Steinar will also defend the title he won last year as part of Salto’s team at Aktuell Sikkerhet-golfen 2025. As he’s such a strong player, it’s no wonder the team is looking forward to his participation again! \"I'm going to have fun. I'm going to have a good time. That's the focus I need to have for this to go well. Then, everything else will come as a bonus\", he says.

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Future goals, and a purpose beyond winning

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Having excelled in both the European golf championships and wheelchair handball in 2025, Steinar demonstrated that with dedication and willpower, what once seemed impossible is within reach. For him, it’s about inspiring others. He focuses heavily on mental training, and everything he does is driven by passion. “If I can get someone to get off the couch and be active, then I’ve won”, he says.

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If I can get someone to get off the couch and be active, then I’ve won.

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Follo Wheelchair Handball receives support from SALTO FOUNDATION, which has been invaluable to the team and for Steinar’s own journey in the sport. “I have enormous respect for those who choose to sponsor parasport.”

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While the team’s annual highlight is the Salto Cup, regular training keeps them at their best year-round. This consistency ensures the team keeps bringing home trophies, creating a sense of pride for players and volunteers alike.

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An ambassador for inclusion and perseverance

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Steinar’s honors aren’t limited to the sporting arena. In January 2026, he received the “Årets forbilde” (Role Model of the Year) award during the Applaus! ceremony at Nordre Follo in his home country. The award recognizes individuals who inspire others through their attitude, actions, and commitment to the community. In Steinar’s case, it was for his ability to motivate and engage people around him, as well as being a strong ambassador for inclusion, perseverance, and the positive impact of sport.

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Additionally, he received the 2025 Årets Paraspiller (Parasport Golfer of the Year) award, presented by Ski Golf Club. This award lauds para golfers who have not only achieved excellent tournament results and significant sporting development, but also served as positive role models for other para athletes and strong ambassadors for para golf in Norway.

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Steinar’s long honor roll reflects not just his remarkable personal achievements, but the values he represents every day, which align deeply with SALTO FOUNDATION.

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Openness and inspiration 

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Steinar isn’t afraid to talk about his illness: he believes that openness and honesty are crucial for both himself and others who may face similar challenges. He emphasizes that there’s room for everyone in parasport, regardless of the obstacles they’ve encountered. 

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He hopes his story will inspire others to get up, get moving, and embrace an active lifestyle. For Steinar and for SALTO FOUNDATION, sport is more than competition; it’s a source of joy, resilience, and connection. His own life stands as proof that even after the most daunting challenges, it is possible to rediscover purpose, celebrate personal achievements, and experience the profound sense of community that comes from being part of a team. 

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