Seven up-and-coming student-athletes are supported
by FAEQ thanks to the GSP Foundation
Montreal, January 19, 2022 — The Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ) and the Georges St-Pierre Foundation (FGSP) have renewed their partnership to highlight the efforts of seven up-and-coming student-athletes and reward them with a 2,000 $ scholarship.
A virtual Zoom ceremony allowed Georges St-Pierre, former mixed martial arts world champion, philanthropist, entrepreneur, occasional actor, and inspiring influencer, to discuss their successes and challenges with them.
This is the ninth edition of the GSP Foundation Sponsorship Program. It annually supports student-athletes who practice a sport that Georges St-Pierre incorporated into his training: boxing, fencing, artistic gymnastics, judo, karate, wrestling, and taekwondo.
Four recipients who maintained a grade point average of 80 % or higher in their studies received an academic excellence scholarship. The other three student-athletes received a scholarship to support academic and athletic success, which aims to help them balance their studies with high-level sports.
What they said:
«Once again this year, my Foundation's Scholarship Program takes on its full meaning as its scholarship holders have been particularly affected by the health restrictions related to the pandemic. More than ever, it is essential that young people continue their studies in order to properly prepare for their eventual transition from sport to the workplace. It is truly rewarding to support them in these difficult times, to discover their stories and backgrounds, and to simply be there for them.»
– Georges St-Pierre
«The Foundation for Athletic Excellence is grateful to have the opportunity once again to partner with Georges St-Pierre, a man with a big heart. The support he offers these young student-athletes goes beyond the purely financial aspect. His interest in their stories is genuine, which confirms the authenticity of the internationally renowned fighter.»
– Martin Lavigne, President of the Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence
Recipients of the 2022 Georges St-Pierre Foundation Sponsorship Program
Artur Bespalyi / taekwondo (-63 kg) / 2nd FAEQ scholarship
18 years old – Montreal (LaSalle)
Support for Academic and Athletic Success 2000 $
> Ranked first in the province in his weight class.
> Gold medalist at the first provincial tryouts in October 2021 and bronze medalist at the second, in November of the same year.
> Is studying accounting and management at Cégep André-Laurendeau.
Artur is flexible and agile, particularly in his legs, which allows him to score points with his head. He is currently refining new techniques. He is aiming for the national title and World Championship qualification in the short term, followed by a top-20 international ranking and an appearance at the Olympic Games. He is keeping his options open regarding his future profession, but wants to combine it with a coaching career.
Maddison Hajjar / artistic gymnastics / 1st FAEQ scholarship
14 years old – Dollard-Des Ormeaux
Academic Excellence 2000 $
> She placed 5th in floor exercise, 8th on the uneven bars, and 10th in the all-around competition in the junior division at the Canadian Championships, which were held virtually in May 2021.
4th on floor and beam on the second day of these virtual Canadian championships, which took place over the cumulative total of two days of competition.
> Is a 9th-grade student in the sports-academic program at École des Sources and maintained a grade point average of 86 % in 8th grade.
Despite her small stature (4 feet 10 inches), Maddison is very strong in her arms and legs. She is perfecting her mental preparation to better manage her stress and disappointments. In the short term, she wants to secure a spot on the Canadian team, while the Olympic Games are her ultimate goal. Physiotherapy and photography are two fields that interest the gymnast.
Ludovik Jodoin / boxing (-61 kg) / 1st FAEQ grant
16 years old – Sainte-Madeleine
Support for Academic and Athletic Success 2000 $
Gold medalist in the under-48 kg category at the Silver Gloves in November 2019.
Gold medalist in the under-48 kg category at the Golden Gloves in October 2019.
Studies in Secondary 3 in the sports-study program at Fadette High School.
Ludovik can rely on good body shots in his bouts, in addition to being fast and physically strong. In training, he strives to keep his hands up high and also works on his slips. He aspires to be crowned Canadian champion in his weight class. The boxer would eventually like to work in the Far North and become an electrician.
Félix Mercier-Ross / judo (-73 kg) / 1st FAEQ scholarship
17 years old – Montreal (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie)
Academic Excellence 2000 $
Silver medalist in the senior under 73 kg category at the Repentigny Development Tournament in December 2021.
Gold medalist in the under-66 kg cadet category at the Canadian Elite 8 Championships in January 2020.
> Is studying natural sciences, with a focus on health sciences, at Collège de Maisonneuve and maintained a GPA of 81 (%) last semester.
Félix is physically strong and his attacks are powerful. He is skilled at dodging or blocking his rivals' techniques. He aims to improve the variety of his techniques. The judoka wants to qualify for international competitions in the short term and hopes his journey will lead him to the Olympic Games. He wishes to work in the sports world, perhaps as a kinesiologist or nutritionist.
Maroua Mokdad / karate (-47 kg) / 2nd FAEQ scholarship
15 years old – Montreal (Montreal North)
Academic Excellence 2000 $
> She finished 7th in the under-14 division at the Pan American Cadet and Junior Championships in September 2019, the last major competition she participated in due to health restrictions.
Silver medalist in the juvenile category at the Canadian Junior Championships in May 2019.
> Is a 10th-grade student in the sports-academic program at École Antoine-de-Saint-Exupéry in Montreal and maintained a 92 % grade point average in 9th grade.
> Maroua moves quickly and is also very agile, which allows her to throw her opponents off balance. She trains to improve her strength and explosiveness, as well as her tactics. She aspires to reach the podium at national competitions, and eventually at international ones. Law is a field of study that interests the karateka, who is also drawn to medicine, psychology, and entrepreneurship.
Nathan Rainville / Olympic wrestling / 1st FAEQ scholarship
16 years old – Marieville
Support for Academic and Athletic Success 2000 $
Gold medalist in the juvenile under 65 kg category at the Matmen Classic in December 2021.
Studies in Secondary 3 at École Paul-Germain-Ostiguy.
Nathan stands out for his speed, physical strength, thirst for learning, and determination. He is refining his defensive strategies as well as his ground wrestling. He wants to continue his journey until he stands on the top step of the podium at the World Championships and represents the country at the Olympic Games. The wrestler also wants to ensure the succession of the family business in the construction sector.
Agata Voitenko / fencing (foil) / 2nd FAEQ scholarship
15 years old – Montreal (Ahuntsic-Cartierville)
Academic Excellence 2000 $
6th in the junior category at the Canadian Championships in December 2021.
Gold medalist in the cadet category at the Masque de Fer Cup in October 2021 and in the junior category at the Terre des Hommes competition in September 2021.
> Is a 10th-grade student at Collège Stanislas and maintained a grade point average of 88 % in the first quarter.
Agata is a fencer with great endurance, always motivated to achieve her goals. She hones both her tactics and technique in training. Her ambition is to make the Canadian team and compete in the Olympic Games. Very creative, the foil fencer has discovered a passion for graphic animation and dreams of being able to make animations for films.
About the Georges St-Pierre Foundation
The Foundationgspofficial.com/fr/fondation-gsp) is financially supported by Mr. Georges St-Pierre as well as his many sponsors. All funds raised by the Foundation are redistributed to the best organizations and programs dedicated to the prevention of bullying as well as the promotion of sport and the pursuit of education among youth.
About the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ)
Since its creation in 1985, the FAEQ has awarded no less than $19 million in bursaries, representing 6,525 individual bursaries to 3,300 different student-athletes. The FAEQ offers not only financial support to Quebec's student-athletes, but also support services in terms of academic guidance, balancing sports and studies, corporate internships, etc. The FAEQ stands out for its personalized approach, rigorous management, and influential role within the sports and education communities. faeq.com
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Sources:
Annie Pelletier
Director of Communications and Partnerships
Excellence Athlete Foundation
514-252-3171, ext. 3538
annie.pelletier@faeq.com
Philippe Lepage
Partner
LB3i Sports
plepage@lb3i.com
For interview requests or other information, please contact Josée Robitaille at josee.robitaille@faeq.com.
