Joanna Mazur

Started: She began the sport in 2007 in Krakow, Poland. (Athlete, 17 Jul 2017) Reason: She moved to a boarding school for children with visual impairments in Krakow, Poland, where she was inspired by other pupils to take up a sport. "I thought that it was a shame to sit with four walls around me when everyone else was so active and training in something. I had to learn about spatial awareness and suffered many bumps, abrasions and bruises, but I gritted my teeth and started training. My sports teacher noticed my determination and he started to take me to local competitions." (przegladsportowy.pl, 19 Sep 2016; gazetakrakowska.pl, 19 Dec 2016) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (incola.com.pl, 02 Jan 2024) Awards: She was named the 2018 Para Athlete of the Year in Poland. (Polsat YouTube channel, 07 Jan 2018) Additional Info: GUIDE AND COACH In November 2015 she met Michal Stawicki, who serves as both her guide and her coach. "We are a pair, but not only on the track. We spend a lot of time together, we have the passion and common goal, so how could we not become friends? When I'm going somewhere with him I don't need a white cane, because I feel safe next to him. He is my eyes and you trust your eyes. The trust plays a crucial role, because only next to a person who you totally trust can you do everything. He knows my strengths and weaknesses, he knows my capabilities and as a coach during a race he uses that perfectly. The relationship, which combines all these elements, is our greatest advantage. I have 100% trust in Michal. He gives me a great sense of security." (Facebook page, 27 Mar 2024; sport.interia.pl, 26 Jul 2023; plejada.pl, 06 May 2019; party.pl, 27 Feb 2019) DANCING WITH THE STARS In 2019 she won the Polish edition of the TV show 'Dancing with the Stars'. "When I received the offer to compete I thought that it was a joke. Before accepting the offer, I had to analyse it, because I am an athlete and it was less than a year to the world championships, where I would be going to fight for Paralympic qualification. I was very happy, as it was a new challenge for me and an opportunity to try my hand at something new. It was also a chance to show people with impairments that it is important to take on new challenges, try new things and discover new passions." (glos24.pl, 22 Feb 2019; onet.pl, 18 May 2019) FURTHER EDUCATION After she studied for a bachelor's degree in health promotion at the College of Theology and Humanities in Podkowa Lesna, Poland, she studied for a master's degree in therapeutic pedagogy at the University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz in Poland. She has also taken a course in therapeutic massage. (viva.pl, 13 Mar 2023; Facebook profile, 16 May 2022)