“Born Without Arms, Boundless in Strength: Dejana Backo’s Story of Art, Sport, and Motherhood”
Dejana Backo has never allowed the circumstances of her birth to define the limits of her life. Born without arms, the Serbian artist and elite athlete has built an extraordinary career across both art and sport—and now, she has embraced her most meaningful role yet: motherhood.
Born on December 9, 1994, in Novi Sad, Dejana grew up questioning why she was different from other children. As she matured, those questions transformed into clarity. She came to understand that disability did not determine her identity, nor did it restrict her ability to dream, create, or succeed.

From a young age, Dejana discovered a passion for painting. At just nine years old, she joined the Society of Mouth and Foot Painters, an experience that shaped her artistic future. She later completed her studies at the Design Art School in 2014 and went on to study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Novi Sad. Her work has since been showcased in solo exhibitions across nearly 20 cities throughout the Balkans, earning her recognition as a powerful and expressive visual artist.
Beyond the art world, Dejana carved out an equally impressive path in sport. Nicknamed the “girl with wings,” she became a symbol of strength and determination in Serbia. Her greatest athletic achievement came in 2019, when she made history by becoming Serbia’s first-ever world champion in para taekwondo at the World Para Taekwondo Championships in Turkey. Competing in the K41 women’s −47 kg category, she proved that discipline and belief can overcome even the steepest barriers.
While art has always been close to her heart, Dejana has said that sport pushed her even further—largely because of her dream to compete at the Paralympic Games. She began training in para taekwondo in 2016 and quickly rose to the top of her field.
In February 2023, Dejana reached a new and deeply personal milestone when she welcomed her first child. Preparing for motherhood meant making difficult choices, including stepping away from professional competition and missing the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Still, she sees this pause not as an end, but as a new beginning.
Becoming a mother has changed her routine and temporarily slowed her athletic journey, but it has not dimmed her determination. Dejana plans to return to training when the time is right and remains confident in her ability to overcome future challenges.
“Everyone faces difficulties in life,” she has shared. “But when you truly know who you are and understand your own value, you can move past negativity and focus on what truly matters.”

Today, Dejana continues to inspire thousands through social media, where she openly shares her experiences, thoughts on self-worth, and messages of resilience. Even while taking a break from competition, her voice remains strong—encouraging others to look beyond limitations and believe in their own potential.
Through art, sport, and now motherhood, Dejana Backo continues to show the world that strength comes in many forms—and that impossible is often just a starting point