José Manuel Mesa Wert

Retired disabled athlete. Known as Mesa in Cuban Athletics, he obtained interesting athletic results with the International Deaf Support Commission "CISS" with participation in more than 298 events held throughout his 22 years on the track.

He was born in the municipality of Jiguaní in the province of Granma in the bosom of a humble family.

The first national event in which he participated was at age 12 in 1982 in Ciudad Habana in the specialty of 100 meters flat in an elimination heat, placing in one of the last positions due to an injury in one of his legs. For the first time he was separated from his family home.

After positive experiences returning to his school Le Thi Rieng in Holguín to continue his training with his teacher Rafael Figuera Soto, who worked with great dedication to achieve results in the coming years:

In 1984 at the National Competition in Holguín gold in 800 meters flat, 4x100 meters flat relay and long jump, from then on he was selected as captain of the squad.

Mesa's takeoff was historic because from his beginnings his results began to show in 1985, Ciego de Ávila, national event 800 meters obtains silver medal.
1986, Camagüey, National 400 meters flat, 800 meters, 1,500 meters flat, 4x100 meters and marathon, in all modalities he achieves gold medal.

1987, Cienfuegos, National 400 meters, 800 meters, and 4x400 meter relay, gold and in 1,500 meters, silver.
1988, Pinar del Río, National 400 meters gold, 4x100 meters, gold, and 800 meters, silver.
1991, Granma in Bayamo, National 400 meters and 800 meters, silver and 4x100 meters, bronze.
1992, Las Tunas, National 400 meters and 800 meters, silver.
1993, Santiago de Cuba, National 400 meters, bronze and 800 meters, silver.

That same year he became part of the national team that was going to participate in an international event, and also traveled to Bulgaria where he attended the Paralympics in 800 meters achieving bronze medal and in 1,500 meters flat placing 9th.

1994, Guantánamo, Eastern Zone event 400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters and 4x400 meters, in all he achieves gold.
1995, Villa Clara, National 400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters, gold.
1996, Santiago de Cuba, Eastern Zone 400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters and 4x400 meters, in all he achieves gold.
1997, Santiago de Cuba, National 400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters, Gold.

Later he attends an international event in Denmark in 800 meters and 1,500 meters placing 6th, 4x100 meters placing 4th.
1998, Santiago de Cuba, National 400 meters and 800 meters, silver, and 1,500 meters and 4x400 meters gold.
1999, Santiago de Cuba, National 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 4x100 meters and 4x400 meters gold.
That same year he participates in La Habana, Cuba in the Deaf Pan-Americans 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 4x400 meters conquering gold in all modalities.
2000, Santiago de Cuba, National 800 meters, 1,500 meters and 4x400 meters, gold.
2001, Santiago de Cuba, National 400 meters silver, 800 meters, 1,500 meters and 4x400 meters, gold.

He is invited to another international event in Italy the Paralympics in 800 meters 5th place and in 1,500 meters he placed 6th in the World Ranking.
2003, Santiago de Cuba, National 800 meters bronze, 4x100 meters and 4x400 meters silver.

Retirement
After the national event in Santiago de Cuba he decided to retire on April 23, 2003 in the presence of the provincial president of ANSOC and members of the sports organization, he is officially said farewell from active sports. The event began with a tour through all the historic and recreational places in the city of Bayamo to his Community Vado del Yeso (Granma) in the municipality of Río Cauto, where he is received by the Municipal Sports Office, the Government, the PCC, his family and all the people, where his beautiful sports resume is read with 44 gold medals, 13 silver and 5 bronze, all achieved over his 22 years on the track.

He works at the Sports Center "13 de Marzo" of Vado del Yeso and in turn provides services to the Provincial Sports Office of ANSOC as a member of the sports board.