FC Nordsjaelland has long been home to stories of resilience, but none compare to Jonathan Richter’s. The former Superliga player was struck by lightning during a training session in 2009, costing him his left leg and his career. Today, 16 years later, he uses his experience to motivate others — despite suffering cardiac arrest just three years ago.

What happened to Jonathan Richter?

On December 24, 2009, Jonathan Richter, then 20, was on the training pitch for FC Nordsjaelland when a lightning strike changed everything. The accident led to the amputation of his left leg and forced him to quit football. But Richter’s fight wasn’t over. Three years ago, during a wheelchair basketball game, he collapsed suddenly from cardiac arrest — a direct result of scarring on his heart from the lightning strike.

How did he come back?

After the second cardiac arrest, Richter had an ICD pacemaker implanted, much like national team player Christian Eriksen did after his cardiac arrest at Euro 2021. Now he actively uses his story to show that disability isn’t a limitation. "It’s always great to be back on the court and give others a perspective that you can still play great sport even if you’re disabled," he says.

Richter still plays wheelchair basketball and inspires thousands with his perseverance. His message is clear: Never give up, no matter how hard life hits you.

Nordsjaelland currently sit 9th in the Superliga with 0 points after the first matches of the season, but the club’s focus on resilience and development continues unabated.