Jessica Matassa

Jessica Matassa (born June 6, 1986) is a paralympic athlete from Canada competing mainly in category T54 sprint events. She was born in Windsor, Ontario.[1]

Jessica Matassa
Personal information
NationalityCanadian
Born (1986-06-06) June 6, 1986
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Sport
CountryCanada
SportT54 sprint, para ice hockey
Medal record
Athletics at the Summer Paralympics
Representing  Canada
Paralympics
2004 Athens 800 metres - T54

Athletics

Jessica has twice competed in the 200m, 400m and 800m at the Summer Paralympics, firstly in 2004 where she won a bronze medal in the T54 800m and then again in 2008.[2]

Matassa underwent numerous surgeries in 2006 that prevented her from competing in 2006. She was not expected to compete again. However, after months of rehabilitation she was given the all clear to compete in 2007 and qualified for the 2007 Para Panamerican games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She won gold in all three of her events: 200m, 400m and 800m.

Matassa competed as part of Team Canada at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Placing 5th in the 200m followed by 7th in the 400m.

In 2009, Matassa competed in the Boston Marathon placing 5th overall among wheelchair racers.[3]

Matassa retired from racing following several surgeries in 2010 which led to her becoming deconditioned.[4]

Jessica Matassa (#17) in 2009

Ice sledge hockey

Matassa was named to the roster of the Canada women's national ice sledge hockey team in 2016.[5] Of note, her club team is the Windsor-Essex Ice Bullets. She is one of four women that comprise the roster of both men and women. Ashley Goure, Genna Norton, a former member of the national team and Heather Stewart consist of the other female players that Matassa has played with.

Personal life

Matassa has spina bifida.[4]

References
  1. http://rankings.athletics.ca/profile_new.asp?pID=119%5B%5D
  2. profile on paralympic.org
  3. "African runners tops in Boston". The Globe and Mail. 2009-04-21. p. S2. ISSN 0319-0714.
  4. Parker, Jim (2016-10-18). "Former Paralympic medallist Jessica Matassa finds new outlet in sledge hockey". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  5. Syal, Richa (2018-03-06). "Canadian women's sledge hockey team fights for the right to play". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2020-12-21.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.