Karla Hergotić: I remained the same cheerful person I always was

We never know what kind of story life will write for someone.

At just 16 years old, in a matter of seconds and after being struck by a train, life began writing a completely different story for Karla Hergotić. She lost both lower legs in the accident, but she did not lose herself.

“I did not lose my life. I remained the same cheerful person I always was, still determined and pushing forward,” Karla says.

Today, she is 21 years old, comes from Dunjkovec in Međimurje and is one of Croatia's leading para athletes. What looked like an ending to many became the beginning of a life filled with sport, courage and dreams.

The prostheses were not the hardest part. The hardest part was the prejudice—the looks from people who decided what she could not do before giving her the opportunity to show who she was.

“You keep hearing that there are things you cannot do. But I can. I can walk, run, jump, dance… I can.”

Sport restored her belief in herself. Karla is the world and Croatian record holder in the F62 shot put and the 2026 Croatian indoor shot put champion.

She was Croatian runner-up in the 60 metres in both 2025 and 2026. At the 2026 Cro Open, she won the shot put and finished third in the 100 metres. She also finished third at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Olomouc, setting a personal best in the 100 metres.

Behind every result are thousands of hours of training, pain, sacrifice and prostheses that are not a luxury for Karla, but her path towards her dreams.

“For me, Walk for Those Who Cannot is not only an invitation to walk, but an invitation to compassion. I am grateful for every step I can take, and I want to use it to give a voice to everyone who finds walking even harder or cannot walk.”

Karla will walk with us in Prelog on 5 and 6 September. We walk alongside Karla and everyone for whom a shared step can open more opportunities and remove barriers on the path towards their dreams.

Thank you for walking with us. None of us walks alone.