Oz Sanchez
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 been able to make some 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 at the camps ever since.
In his first international competition, Sanchez finished seventh in the HCC Time Trial at the 2006 IPC Cycling World Championships. As he prepared for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, Sanchez fully intended to come back with a medal around his neck. Sanchez did not leave disappointed, as he won two medals: one gold and one silver.
Sanchez grew up in Los Angeles and spent nearly six years as an operative with the Marine Corps Special Forces teams. He recently earned his bachelor's degree in business from San Diego State University and has expressed interest in becoming a motivational speaker.
Major Achievements:
- 2009: Gold medal, Time Trial IPC World Championships- Bogono, Italy
- 2009: Gold medal, Time Trial U.S. Paralympic Cycling National Championships, Bend, Ore.
- 2009: Gold medal: ITU Triathlon World Championships London, United Kingdom
- 2008: Gold medal, Individual Time Trial HC C; bronze medal, Individual Road Race HC C - Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
- 2008: Gold medal, Accenture Physcially Challenged Triathlon Championships, New York, N.Y.
- 2008: Gold medal, Road Time Trial - U.S. Paralympic Cycling National Championships, Morrison, Colo.
- 2008: Gold medal, Criterium - National Criterium Championships, Rome, Ga.
- 2008: First place - National U.S. Handcycling Series
- 2007: Fifth place, Road Race; Sixth place, Time Trial - IPC Cycling World Championships, Bordeaux, France
- 2006: Seventh place, Time Trial - IPC Cycling World Championships, Aigle, Switzerland
- 2006: Fourth place, Road Time Trial - U.S. Paralympic Cycling National Championships, Seven Springs, Pa.
