User:Issagold/Issa Ouedraogo

Issa Ouédraogois a shot put, discus and javelin paralympic athlete, Canadian champion and shot put Canadian record holder, class F57.

Biography
Borned in Burkina Faso, Issa is 4 four years old when he develops polio, infectious disease which most of the time leads to leg paralysis. The lively and high-energy young man wakes up one morning and can no longer get on his feet. After his transfer to the hospital, doctors inform his family of the diagnosis. The rapid care provided allow to stop the disease evolution which has only the time to weaken one of his legs. Treated by religious, followed by a rehabilitation of almost 2 years, Issa is making steady progress. He has the chance to be among the rare people of his generation affected by the disease to still be able to walk. Issa immigrates to Canada in the early 2000s.

In 2006, he begins to develop an interest for throwing. Friends in para-athletics in Sherbrooke, Quebec, encourages him to give it a try with their coach Jean Laroche, leader in the world of paralympic athlete coaching. Even though he has never planned to compete, the challenge to prove himself that he is able to surpass his physical limits, despite his physical disability, gives him the motivation. On the very first try, the coach sees his potential, and agrees to train him. He moves to Sherbrooke to pursue his university studies while beginning his training. A member of the team in which he evolves, the late Jacques Martin, former javelin throw and shot put world champion, takes him under his wing and gives him the keys to compete.

Issa takes part in his first competition in May 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. A few months later, he establishes a new Canadian javelin throw national record. Now convinced he has his place as an athlete, he combines studies and competition, aspiring to be among the best athletes in his disciplines.

Award winning
Since 2006, Issa Ouédraogo is the current Canadian javelin throwing champion, and since 2010, he is also the shot put champion. . As an athlete, Issa defends the colors of Quebec and Canada in national and international competitions, the Parapan Am Games in Parapan American Games in Mexico in 2011, and in an international competition in Clermont in Florida (in 2009 and 2012). In 2013, he is invited to the Lyon World Athletics Competition in Lyon, but, following an injury, he cannot participate.

In addition to his participation in Quebec Track and Field Championships, Issa Ouédraogo takes part in the Canadian Track and Field Championships in London, Ontario (2006), Windsor (2007 and 2008), Toronto (2009 and 2010), Calgary, Alberta, (2011 and 2012), and in Moncton, New-Brunswick (2013 and 2014). .

Achievements and honors
Since his beginnings, Issa Ouédraogo balances his sporting career with his professional and academic ones. He holds a bachelor degree in International Relations from the University of Sherbrooke. In 2008, he suspends his sporting activities to concentrate on an international internship as part of his studies. In 2012, he obtains a graduate diploma in Public Leadership and, since the summer of 2013, he is pursuing a graduate diploma in Public Policy.

Deeply involved in his community, Issa Ouédraogo is recognized for his leading role:


 * 2014: as an ambassador of cultural community members and para-sport athletes, participation to a video to increase awareness on the post-polio syndrome produced by Association Polio Québec4; ;


 * 2007 to 2013: named athlete ambassador of the city of Sherbrooke, ;


 * 2008 : recipient of the immigrant recognition award REMI, sports personality category ;


 * Three times recipient of the Ada Mackenzie Scholarship for student athletes;


 * Guest of honor and speaker in 2013 as part of Black History Month.