Zena Cole

Zena Cole is an American Paralympic discus thrower.

Zena Cole
Personal information
Nickname(s)Ogie[1]
Nationality United States
BornOregon, Ohio
ResidenceOregon, Ohio
Height5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Medal record
Athletics
Paralympic Games
2011 Parapan American GamesWomen's discus
IPC World ChampionshipsWomen's discus
2012 LondonWomen's discus

Early life

Zena Cole was born in Oregon, Ohio.[2] When she was 18-months-old she contracted polio and spent three years in an iron lung ventilator. Until she became 12 years of age, she used crutches and braces which she continued to break because she was playing baseball at the time. The doctors suggested that she should use a wheelchair. In 1991 she was diagnosed with a condition called post-polio syndrome which caused her to retire from the Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.[3]

Career

In 2011, Cole won a silver medal at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships and the same year won a gold medal at the Parapan American Games.[2] She also participated at the 2012 Summer Paralympics where she won a bronze medal for discus throw of 5.29 metre. She participated in the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France, competing in discus and club throw.[4]

In 2016 she beat her previous personal best of 4.89 metre with a 4.98 metre throw at the Women's Discus Throw in F52 category[5] but got a bronze medal.[6]

Personal life

Cole has two children, a son and a daughter, and has raised three of her nieces. Besides discus throwing, she also enjoys traveling, photography and camping.[2]

References
  1. Dominick Evans (September 8, 2012). "The United States Needs to Get with the Program – ParaOlympics Coverage Not Shown Here". Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  2. "Zena Cole". Team USA. United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  3. Carl Ryan (July 31, 2012). "Oregon woman dreams gold". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  4. "Paralympic medalist to compete again". Toledo Blade. January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  5. "Zena Cole | Women's Discus Throw F52 Final Throw 3 | 2016 Paralympic Games". Billings Gazette. September 14, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  6. Kristian Walsh; Didrik Ottesen (September 7, 2012). "Paralympics live". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
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