OTTAWA – When Andrzej Sadej discusses his life journey in sport there are all the elements of a great movie or novel: heartbreak, intrigue, drama, risks, adventure and it all concludes with triumph.
But this is a true story. Born in Poland under the Soviet scepter, Sadej overcame many challenges to become a master in his profession. Through it all there was a common thread: judo.
And earlier this month, the 66-year-old native of Bydgoszcz was honoured twice in the same weekend. He received the Coaching Association of Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Regina on November 15 and the next day in Montreal he was inducted into the Judo Canada Hall of Fame.
‘’Everything he’s ever done has been out of the kindness of his heart and in hopes to make our world a better place,’’ said Sadej’s star pupil Priscilla Gagné, a silver medallist at the 2020 Paralympic Games.
‘’He is a strong, humble and talented coach who I have had the privilege and honour of working with for a decade.”