From coma to bicycle: the inspiring story of Micha Hlad and the family that didn't accept the black predictions

Miha Hlad’s life turned upside down five years ago in a severe traffic accident that left him with a brain injury. At just 19 years old, he suffered critical damage to his cerebrum, and doctors were uncertain whether he would survive or what long-term effects the crash might have. Despite these grim predictions, Miha and his family refused to give up. Step by step, they worked tirelessly to help him regain basic abilities, eating, speaking, walking. Today, the 24-year-old Krashovec competes in para-cycling, specifically in the tricycle category, and has set his sights on the Paralympic Games. Miha recounts his journey with a mix of humor and optimism. He celebrates two birthdays each year, the actual one on January 13th, and another on May 9th, the day he survived the accident. During our visit to his home in Divača, where he lives with his parents and two children, he spoke candidly about his recovery process. His story is one of resilience, hope, and determination, a tale of a sportsman who refused to accept defeat after his worst loss. It's also a story of family, particularly his mother Jerica Hlad, who never stopped fighting for her son, even when medical professionals could not predict what the future might hold. Miha’s current demeanor is different from before the accident, yet his sense of humor, optimism, and sporting spirit remain intact. The football ball had to be put aside, but he found a new path on a special bicycle. Competing in para-cycling, he has become a national champion, participated in European championships and world cups, and now dreams of competing in the Paralympics. Looking back, he sees his story with great humor and optimism. After the accident, he had to relearn many fundamental aspects of daily life, but today he is once again a competitor with big goals. As a child, Miha was already drawn to football. At three, he trained in basketball, but on school playgrounds, he preferred football. When others noticed his talent, they encouraged him to focus on “the most important thing in the world.” His mother recalls how determined he was. At eight years old, he decided on his own to join a football match. With a registration form in hand, he walked into the locker room and declared, “I will play football.” The trainers were surprised and asked where his parents were. He simply replied, “I came alone.” This moment marked the beginning of his football career. He joined NK Železničar Divača and scored 11 goals in his first game against Sežana. “I was above average in height and made a difference on the field due to my physical build,” he recalls while flipping through family photo albums filled with images of matches, tournaments, and training sessions. Initially, he played as an attacker, later moving to defense. He was slightly rounder and wore shoe size 47 today. Football was more than just a hobby for him, it was a world where he felt most at home. “In the under-15 category, we became champions and qualified for the first league. On the deciding match, we won 3–1, and I scored the decisive goal. And I did it with my chest,” he proudly remembers. In December 2020, he made his debut with the club Tabor. In February 2021, he received the award for the most promising athlete of the year from Kras and Brkina. From Gorica to opportunities in the senior team at Tabor With enrollment at the secondary health school in Nova Gorica, Miha became a member of the junior team ND Gorica and played in the first Slovenian youth league. When Tabor Sežana entered the top tier, Miha got his chance too. He played in the second youth league and earned a spot in the senior team during a match against Maribor. Though it was only ten minutes, it was still a significant opportunity. His mother adds, “He was barely 18 at the time.” The question remains: where could his football journey take him?