Ibrahima Diallo (Paralympic footballer)
Ibrahima "Ibz" Diallo (born on 16 January 1993) is a Guinean-born British footballer. He played in the 7-a-side football event at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, United Kingdom.[1]
Personal life
Diallo was born on 16 January 1993 in Conakry, Guinea.[2][3] He moved to England at the age of ten with his parents and two siblings. [4]
In December 2011 he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after a physiotherapist, who also worked with the British Paralympic team, noticed his unusual running style during a training session for the English College's team at Lilleshall. Diallo had previously attributed his problems when running to tight muscle groups in his thigh.[4][3]
Football
As a teenager Diallo played for the Bristol City F.C. academy teams.[3] Since February 2012 he has played for the Great Britain 7-a-side team for players with cerebral palsy.[4][3]
In 2012 he was a member of the Great Britain team that won a silver medal at the 2012 Paralympic World Cup.[2] The British team were beaten 4-2 by Brazil, the team ranked fourth in the world, in the final of the tournament which was held in Manchester.[3] Diallo and Patrick Heselton each scored consolation goals for Great Britain after Brazil had taken a 4-0 lead.[5] Diallo had also scored a hat-trick of goals in a 7-3 win over Ireland in the final group match which qualified the British team for the final.[6]
He represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics as part of a twelve-player squad for the 7-a-side football event.[7][8] He scored a goal in four different matches but Great Britain finished 7th of the 8 teams.
In his domestic football career Diallo moved from Clevedon Town to Mangotsfield United in March 2014. He had previously also played for Filton Academy and Paulton Rovers.[9]
Diallo currently plays for Bridgwater Town (1984) FC.
References
- ^ "Ibz Diallo". London 2012. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Ibrahima Diallo". British Paralympic Association. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Davies, Gareth A. (29 August 2012). "Paralympic's 2012: Ibrahima Diallo's 'weird but brilliant' journey to become ParalympicsGB attacking force". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ a b c Chapman, Caroline (29 August 2012). "Paralympics 2012: Ibrahima Diallo's journey to London Games". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "Britain lift BT Paralympic World Team Trophy after silvers for basketball players and footballers". insideworldparasport.biz. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ Atkin, Nigel (25 May 2012). "BT PWC 2012: Barker and Diallo grab hat-tricks to send Britain into final". morethantehgames.co.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "ParalympicsGB: Who will compete for Great Britain in London?". BBC News. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Great Britain Announces Paralympic Football Teams". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Ibrahima Diallo - First Team - Mangotsfield United FC". Mufc-online.co.uk. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2015-06-30.