Sekou Kaba

Biography

Sekou Kaba has wanted to represent Canada since he first arrived in the country and made the standard to compete at the IAAF World Youth Championships, but was ineligible because he was not yet a Canadian citizen. He watched his teammates on TV knowing that someday his opportunity would come. He received his Canadian citizenship in 2012 and represented his new country for the first time at the U23 NACAC meet in Mexico, despite being hindered that season by patellar tendinopathy. He achieved a career highlight at the 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie where he won gold in the 110m hurdles, defeating 2005 World Champion Ladji Doucouré on his home soil in France. He also struggled that season with hamstring troubles in both legs. At the Canadian Championships, Kaba finished second in the 110m hurdles in 2012 and 2013 before placing third in 2014 and 2015, setting his personal best of 13.43 seconds at the latter. After he missed advancing to the 110m hurdles final at the 2015 Pan Am Games by just 0.02 of a second, Kaba made his IAAF World Championship debut in Beijing, reaching the semifinals. He won the 2014 CIS national title in the 60m hurdles, setting a CIS Championship record of 7.79 seconds, breaking a mark held by 1992 Olympic gold medallist Mark McKoy since 1984. Kaba made his Olympic debut at Rio 2016.

Getting to know…

Family: Father Abdourahmane Kaba and mother Seynabou Gueye… Is the third oldest of seven children with siblings Aissatou, Djaba, Saran, Ismael, Fanta and Hawa… The family moved to Canada in 2007 after spending his teenage years in the United States where the family had immigrated in 2001… Getting into the Sport: Started running track at age 11… Had never heard of track and field in Guinea but was drawn to athletes training when he went to his new school in Ypsilanti, Michigan… Was always known for his jumping skills so he saw it as an opportunity to showcase his athleticism… Outside Interests: Loves music and can spend hours digging for ethereal sounds for his iPod… Can see himself doing photography as a career; during the competitive season is constantly scouting, shooting and editing photos… Has a part time job managing a photo booth at special events… Studying criminology at the University of Ottawa… Odds and Ends: Always travels with natural peanut butter because it’s hard to find abroad… Sometimes has a peanut butter cookie on his way to the track because he likes to be happy when he races… Favourite quote: “It’s never wrong to do the right thing.” – Mark Twain…