From Turin to Tokyo 2020, a Mauritian physiotherapist participates in the Paralympics. A double challenge, that of Francesca Fossato: born in 1984, passionate about movement, physiotherapist since 2008 at the Turin hospital and setter of the Italian national team of sitting volleyball (Paralympic volleyball). In 2017 a motorcycle accident and the loss of his left leg. Months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. A slow recovery until returning to work in physiotherapy, a profession that today feels even more its own, practicing it and teaching it to students.
Tenacity and sacrifice
As you may have guessed, Francesca is a tough guy. And sport came to her aid. The Italian Paralympic Committee of the Piedmont Region offers her “sitting volley”, a new story begins in the name of tenacity, training and sometimes the sacrifice of free time. A story, too, marked by the collaboration of the hospital where he works. In 2029, together with the Italian national team, as European vice champion, she took off the pass for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and reached the Olympic dream, previously unimaginable.
First round on August 27th
“As a good physiotherapist, she has always learned from observing the skills and strategies adopted by patients to carry out every gesture”, they proudly explain from the hospital. Now these skills will be essential to observe and beat the challenging teams, starting with that of the host nation: Japan.
The Italian national women’s sitting volleyball team will meet Japan on 27 August at 10 am (3 am for Italy), then Canada (29 August, 2 pm, 7 am Italian time), and finally Brazil, on 1 September at 10 (the 3 Italians). Cheering is guaranteed.