Conrat Atangana

Born in 1987 in Yaounde, Atangana contracted polio when he was very young.{{Cite web|url=http://www.superabile.it/web/it/Paralimpiadi_2012/News/info2086802080.html|title=Paralimpiadi 2012 - Camerun, un atleta a Londra. "Un lusso anche una carrozzina di seconda mano"|date=September 4, 2012|website=SuperAbile INAIL|language=it-IT|access-date=October 9, 2016}} The illness left him with physical disability that affected his left leg, and he gets around on crutches.{{Cite web|url=http://www.journalducameroun.com/article.php?aid=12123|title=Jeux paralympiques: Londres de nouveau en fête|last1=Effoudou|first1=Marthe Noelle|last2=Ngounou d'Halluin|first2=Ingrid Alice|date=August 29, 2012|website=Journal Du Cameroun.com|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116214903/http://www.journalducameroun.com/article.php?aid=12123|archive-date=January 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.vivrefm.com/infos/lire/418/le-continent-africain-en-retard-sur-les-paralympiques|title=Le continent africain, en retard sur les Paralympiques|last=Didier|first=Arthur|date=August 24, 2012|website=vivre fm|publisher=vivre fm|access-date=October 2, 2016}} Eventually, Atangana and fellow Cameroonian para-sportspeople Jean Solange Avah Mbida and Herve Ndi decided the problems in Cameroon were too bad, and went to Pas-de-Calais, France as refugees. The group chose the city because Cameroonian football Marc-Vivien Foé was there to aid in their transition.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mairie-mericourt.fr/Poser-un-autre-regard-sur-le|title=Poser un autre regard sur le handicap — Site de Méricourt|website=Méricourt|date=25 June 2014 |language=fr-FR|access-date=October 9, 2016}} He has two daughters, and lives in Nantes, France.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/asp/lib/theasp.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=515&personid=1026807&refreshauto=1|title=Athlete Bio|date=2012|website=Paralympic.org|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923173251/https://www.paralympic.org/asp/lib/theasp.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=515&personid=1026807&refreshauto=1|url-status=dead}}

Atangana first got involved with sports in 2004, when he started playing sitting volleyball. People suggested he move to Cameroon's capital to train more seriously in sitting volleyball. Doing this, he then went on to compete at the 2006 African Francophone Games for the Handicapped, representing Cameroon as a member of the national wheelchair basketball team and competing in powerlifting, picking up gold medals in both sports. After representing Cameroon internationally in powerlifting, athletics and wheelchair basketball, he went to France as a refugee where he continued to be involved in all three sports.

Atangana competed at the 2006 African Francophone Games for the Handicapped (French: {{Lang|fr|Jeux de l'Avenir des personnes handicapées d'Afrique francophone (JAPHAF)}}), where he won a gold medal in powerlifting. He was back again for the 2007 edition in Nouakchott, Mauritania, the 2009 edition in Niamey, Niger and the 2011 edition in Yaoundé where he won gold each time. He participated in the 2008 African Francophone Games for the Handicapped, winning gold in the men's -52 kg event with a lift of 140 kg.{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.mboa.info/athletisme/fr/content/actualite/58318,jeux-paralympiques-2008-doutes-sur-la-participation-camerounaise/0,0/8493.html|title=Athlétisme — Jeux paralympiques 2008 : Doutes sur la participation camerounaise|date=August 5, 2008|website=Mboa.info|publisher=Mboa.info|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Five Cameroonian powerlifters competed in the 2011 IPC Fazza Powerlifting-Dubai, with Atangana ultimately earning a qualifying berth for London following the competition.{{Cite web|url=http://www.camerounparalympique.org/notre-organisation/|title=Notre Organisation — International Paralympic Committee|date=2016|website=Comité National Paralympique Camerounais (CNPC)|publisher=Comité National Paralympique Camerounais (CNPC)|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018205257/http://www.camerounparalympique.org/notre-organisation/|archive-date=October 18, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.camerounparalympique.org/download/clientfiles/files/PLAN%20STRATEGIQUE%20CNPC%202013-2016.doc|title=Plan Strategique 2013-2016 du Comité National Paralympique Camerounais (CNPC)|last=CNPC|date=2013|website=Comité National Paralympique Camerounais (CNPC)|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329202140/http://www.camerounparalympique.org/download/clientfiles/files/PLAN%20STRATEGIQUE%20CNPC%202013-2016.doc|archive-date=2016-03-29|url-status=dead}} At a 2012 IPC Powerlifting event in Dubai, he managed a lift of 160 kg.

Atangana was still involved with the sport following the 2012 Games, competing in the first ranking competition for the 2016 Summer Paralympics, an event in September 2015 in Brazzaville, Congo. He finished third in the -59 kg class with a best lift of 160 kg.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/dfa/20160113/281663959002940|title=Powerlifters off to Brazil|date=January 13, 2016|website=Press Reader|publisher=DFA|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/powerlifting-world-records-set-brazzaville|title=Powerlifting world records set in Brazzaville|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 2, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.benchpresschampion.com/PARALYMPICS/AfPC2015.html|title=AfPC2015|date=September 2015|website=Bench Press Champion|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.umuseke.rw/allafricagames-mu-guterura-no-gutera-intosho-u-rwanda-rwabuze-umudari.html|title=AllAfricaGames: Mu guterura no gutera intosho u Rwanda rwabuze umudari|last=Kuwa|date=September 17, 2015|website=UMUSEKE|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827220324/http://www.umuseke.rw/allafricagames-mu-guterura-no-gutera-intosho-u-rwanda-rwabuze-umudari.html|archive-date=August 27, 2016|url-status=dead}} He finished 2015 being ranked nineteenth in the world in the men's -59 kg class with a season best lift of 160 kg.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/world-rankings/powerlifting|title=World Rankings — Powerlifting|date=January 1, 2016|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 9, 2016}} He was unranked in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://db.ipc-services.org/sdms/web/ranking/po/pdf/type/WR/list/181/gender/M|title=World Rankings — Powerlifting|date=January 1, 2015|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://db.ipc-services.org/sdms/web/ranking/po/pdf/type/WR/list/133|title=World Rankings — Powerlifting - 2013|date=January 1, 2014|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://db.ipc-services.org/sdms/web/ranking/po/pdf/type/WR/list/17|title=World Rankings — Powerlifting - 2011|date=January 1, 2012|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://db.ipc-services.org/sdms/web/ranking/po/pdf/type/WR/list/16|title=World Rankings — Powerlifting - 2010|date=January 1, 2011|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://db.ipc-services.org/sdms/web/ranking/po/pdf/type/WR/list/20|title=World Rankings — Powerlifting - 2009|date=January 1, 2010|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 9, 2016}}

{{See also|Cameroon at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}}

Atangana was the country's sole representative at the 2012 Games where the country made its Paralympic debut. Competing in powerlifting's men's -56 kg event in London, Atangana finished ninth in an eleven deep field, with a best lift of 155 kg.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/results/historical|title=Paralympic Results & Historical Records|website=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 2, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/rio-2016/cameroon|title=Cameroon Paralympics — Rio 2016 Medals, Athletes & News|date=September 2016|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 2, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/14-countries-make-paralympic-debuts|title=14 countries to make Paralympic debuts|date=August 30, 2012|website=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 2, 2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.camerounlink.com/mobile/?SessionID=A2YF3QCB2QGAK7WPSMK7WTVGRV1IUK&cl1=&cl2=&bnid=2&nid=95276&cat=0&kat=0|title=Brésil: le Cameroun aligne un athlète aux Jeux paralympiques|last=Remadji|first=Victoria|date=September 9, 2016|work=Cameroun Link|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 7, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://crtv.cm/fr/latest-news/sport-11/bresil-le-cameroun-aligne-un-athlte-aux-jeux-paralympiques-17842.htm|title=Brésil: le Cameroun aligne un athlète aux Jeux paralympiques|last=Remadji|first=Victoria|date=September 9, 2016|website=CRTV|publisher=CRTV|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220072925/http://crtv.cm/fr/latest-news/sport-11/bresil-le-cameroun-aligne-un-athlte-aux-jeux-paralympiques-17842.htm|archive-date=December 20, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cirics.org/news/sport/jeux-paralympiques-christian-gobe-represente-le-cameroun-a-rio|title=Jeux Paralympiques Christian Gobe Represente Le Cameroun A Rio — Sport — Cirics|last=Dango|first=Kevin|date=September 12, 2016|website=CIRICS (Cameroun-Italie-Ressources-Intégration-Culture-Solidarité)|publisher=CIRICS (Cameroun-Italie-Ressources-Intégration-Culture-Solidarité)|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220085602/http://www.cirics.org/news/sport/jeux-paralympiques-christian-gobe-represente-le-cameroun-a-rio|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://newsducamer.com/index.php/sport/jo-rio-2016/item/585-christian-gobe-l-ambassadeur-du-vert-rouge-jaune|title=Christian Gobe : L'ambassadeur du Vert-rouge-jaune — News du Cameroun — Toute l'information du Cameroun en continu|last=Ngouéka|first=Ludovic|date=September 8, 2016|work=News du Cameroun|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cameroonvoice.com/news/article-sport-7852.html|title=Jeux paralympiques. Vers une nouvelle participation foireuse du Cameroun|last=Tchapmi|first=Christian|date=August 17, 2012|website=Cameroon Voice|publisher=Le Messager|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 9, 2016}} Atangana was the country's flag bearer for the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/list-opening-ceremony-flag-bearers|title=List of Opening Ceremony flag bearers|date=August 29, 2012|website=International Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=October 2, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.mboa.info/jeux-olympiques/fr/societe/actualite/70109,le-cameroun-represente-aux-jeux-paralympiques.html|title=Jeux Olympiques — Le Cameroun représenté aux Jeux paralympiques|last=Ouafy|first=Matcheu|date=August 27, 2012|website=Mboa.info|publisher=Mboa.info|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803231714/http://www.news.mboa.info/jeux-olympiques/fr/societe/actualite/70109,le-cameroun-represente-aux-jeux-paralympiques.html|archive-date=August 3, 2014|url-status=dead}} Atangana said he planned to return home after the Games, with no intention of fleeing like his 2012 Olympic colleagues did.{{Cite web|url=http://www.parasportreport.com/2016/06/94-dagen-tot-rio-2016-paralympische-sport-kameroen/|title=94 dagen tot Rio 2016: Paralympische sport in Kameroen|last=Buijs|first=Jan Willem|date=June 5, 2016|website=Para Sport Report|language=nl-NL|access-date=October 9, 2016}}

Prior to the start of the London Games, the Cameroon delegation was at the University of Bath from August 15 to August 19. There, Atangana and seven other Cameroon para-powerlifters worked with international trainers to recalibrate their form for competition as Cameroon lacked the technical knowledge to provide adequate coaching in country. Funding problems for the Cameroon delegation were the major reason that Atangana was the country's sole representative in London. Getting access to funds to compete in London as easier as he was based in Nantes, France.{{Cite web|url=http://www.caritas.vicenza.it/documento.asp?id=3824&lingua=ITA&categoria=18|title=Le notizie della settimana dal 3 al 7 settembre 2012|date=September 3, 2012|website=Caritas Diocesana Vicenza|publisher=Caritas Diocesana Vicenza|language=it-IT|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.redattoresociale.it/Notiziario/Articolo/405589/Camerun-un-atleta-a-Londra-Un-lusso-anche-una-carrozzina-di-seconda-mano?stampa=s|title=Camerun, un atleta a Londra. "Un lusso anche una carrozzina di seconda mano"|date=September 3, 2012|website=Redattore Sociale|publisher=Redattore Sociale|language=it-IT|access-date=October 9, 2016}}

Atangana is a T53/F53 classified athlete.{{Cite web|url=http://www.impactsud.org/wp-content/docs/Groupe_Handicam_ImpactSud_asbl.pdf|title=Programme d'insertion sociale du groupe dynamique de sportifs handicapés du Cameroun|date=2009|website=Impact Sud|publisher=Impact Sud|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117020826/http://www.impactsud.org/wp-content/docs/Groupe_Handicam_ImpactSud_asbl.pdf|archive-date=January 17, 2017|url-status=dead}} Participating at the 2007 Algerian Games (French: Jeux d'Alger), he had a fourth-place finish in the shot put. Competing at the home hosted 2008 African Francophone Games for the Handicapped, he won a silver medal in the shot put. Cameroon sent a delegation to the 2013 Czech Open. Atangana won a bronze medal at the competition in the javelin.{{Cite web|url=http://www.camerounparalympique.org/centre-de-presse/|title=Centre de Presse|last=Comité National Paralympique Camerounais (CNPC)|date=2016|website=Comité National Paralympique Camerounais (CNPC)|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118153023/http://www.camerounparalympique.org/centre-de-presse/|archive-date=November 18, 2016|url-status=dead}} Atangana also competed at the 2014 Paris Seine-S Paralympic Athletics Meeting, finishing 6th in the javelin event with a throw of 17.93 meters and sixth in the shot put with a throw of 6.81 meters.{{Cite web|url=http://www.coachapied.com/athlete/index/833958/conrat-frederic-atangana|title=Profil de Conrat frederic ATANGANA|website=Coachapied.com|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116214245/http://www.coachapied.com/athlete/index/833958/conrat-frederic-atangana|archive-date=January 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}

A 3.5 point player, Atangana has made multiple appearances for the Cameroon men's national team. He competed at the 2006 African Francophone Games for the Handicapped as a member of the Cameroon national team. His team took home a gold medal. He replicated this accomplishment at the 2007 and 2008 editions. He was part of the Cameroon squad at the 2007 All-Africa Games in Algeria.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cameroon-info.net/article/jeux-africains-la-liste-complete-des-athletes-102948.html|title=Le Portail du Cameroun|last=Mutations|date=2007|website=Cameroon-Info.Net|publisher=Mutations|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 9, 2016}}

{{Portal|Sports|Cameroon}}

{{reflist|30em}}

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• {{IPC athlete|id=conrat-frederic-atangana|old_id=1026807|name=Conrat Frederic Atangana}}

{{Disability sports in Cameroon}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Atangana, Conrat}}

Category:Powerlifters at the 2012 Summer Paralympics

Category:Cameroonian disabled sportspeople

Category:Cameroonian men's basketball players

Category:21st-century Cameroonian sportsmen

Category:Cameroonian male athletes

Category:Paralympic competitors for Cameroon

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:African Games bronze medalists for Cameroon

Category:African Games medalists in weightlifting

Category:Male shot putters

Category:Male javelin throwers

Category:Competitors at the 2015 African Games

Category:Powerlifters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for Cameroon

Category:Competitors in athletics with cerebral palsy