Challenges to Social Transformation in Arts: Martial

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The Artivism team and event participants will have the pleasure of hearing from Mr. Andrzej Sadej and Priscilla Gagne on how they aim to transform the art of Judo by developing a program adaptable for the visually impaired.

Mr. Sadej will talk about his many years of practice, athletic achievements, instruction, coaching, the many projects he has developed, and the life-changing initiatives he has inspired. Priscilla Gagné will talk about how she overcame her challenges and discuss her achievements and career highlights.

Presenters

Andrzej Sadej is currently the Head Coach of the Canadian Visually Impaired Judo Team. He also serves as the Coaching and Education Director, and the Sport Director with Judo Canada. In cooperation with the Coaching Association of Canada, he is responsible for the development, delivery and management of the coach education programs for Judo in Canada; the development and update of the Long-Term Canadian Judoka Development model; and the Coaching of Canadian Paralympic Judoka. Mr. Sadej, a 7th dan black belt in judo, is a 7-time national Polish champion, 5-time European Championships’ medalist, and 3-time University World Championships medalist. Mr. Sadej’s bio is rich in achievements, both in his own award-winning athletic career, and that as a coach, creating programs, teaching, volunteering, and inspiring through his art, social transformation.

 

Priscilla Gagné Is now based in Montreal and trains at the Judo Canada National Centre at the INS Quebec. Priscilla was the flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony for Team Canada at Tokyo 2020 and won the Silver Medal at those Olympic Games. She was born with a genetic eye disorder called retinis pigmentosa. She has four degrees of peripheral vision, but with no central vision, is considered blind. Priscilla started judo in 2008 after practicing karate, moved to Sarnia at age three from Granby after her parents separated. She graduated from the evangelism program at Rhema Bible College in Oklahoma and graduated from Everest College’s addictions and community services worker program in Barrie, Ontario. Her awards include Silver at 2019 Parapan American Games, Crowned Pan Am champion in 2018 and 2020, Bronze Medal at 2018 World Championships. She competed at her first Paralympic Games in 2016 and won her first World Cup medal in February 2015, Silver at 2015 Parapan Am Games in Toronto, Silver in the 2016 IBSA World Cup in Germany, Bronze in the 2016 IBSA World Cup in Brazil, and Bronze in the 2016 IBSA World Cup in England.

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