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Oscar Sanchez, also known as “Oz,” suffered damage to the L1 nerves in his lower back as the result of a motorcycle accident in 2001. After going through rehabilitation, he was introduced to handcycling and he quickly developed the urge to compete. Through local marathons, he was able to meet Paralympians Alejandro Albor, Greg Hockensmith and Seth Arseneau, who were all able to tell Sanchez about competitions on a much larger level.

Sanchez has made big improvements since November 2005 when he showed up at the USOC Paralympic Military Sports Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. to work out for the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Team coaches. His audition earned him an invite to a national team training camp and he has been a fixture on Team USA ever since.

Sanchez is a three-time world champion and double Paralympic Games medalist, winning gold in the time trial and bronze in the road race at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

In 2010, Sanchez added to his list of impressive accomplishments by finishing the grueling Ironman World Championships race in Kona, Hawaii.

Sanchez grew up in Los Angeles and spent six years as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned his bachelor's degree in business from San Diego State University and has expressed interest in becoming a motivational speaker.

Major Achievements:

  • 2011: Gold, mixed H1-4 road time trial; gold medal H2-4 road race: Parapan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico
  • 2011: First place, overall (HC4) - UCI Para-Cycling World Cup series
  • 2010: Finisher - Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii
  • 2010: Gold medal, Individual Time Trial (HCC); gold medal, Individual Road Race (HCC) – UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, Quebec, Canada
  • 2009: Gold medal, Individual Time Trial (HCC); fifth place, Individual Road Race (HCC) – UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, Bogogno, Italy
  • 2008: Gold medal, Individual Time Trial (HCC); bronze medal, Individual Road Race (HCC) – Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
  • 2008: First place, Accenture U.S. Paratriathlon National Championships, New York, N.Y.