Issa Nlareb: From the Alps Tour to Para-Athletics After Life-Altering Illness

Issa Nlareb, a former professional golfer and the first African to compete on the European Alps Tour, is transitioning toward para-athletics following a battle with meningitis that resulted in the amputation of both legs and eight fingers. Nlareb details this trajectory from street child to professional athlete and survivor in his book, Sauvé par le swing.

Nlareb’s career reached a significant milestone when he broke regional barriers to enter the Alps Tour, the third-tier professional circuit in Europe. This achievement established him as a pioneer for African golfers in the European professional system. However, his competitive career was interrupted by a severe medical crisis.

How did meningitis change Issa Nlareb’s athletic career?

A diagnosis of meningitis led to critical health complications that nearly proved fatal for Nlareb. According to his personal account in Sauvé par le swing, the illness necessitated the amputation of both of his legs and eight of his fingers. The physical loss ended his ability to compete in traditional professional golf, a sport requiring precise balance and grip.

Despite these losses, Nlareb has focused on a recovery process driven by the same discipline he used to reach the professional ranks. He describes the “swing”—the fundamental motion of golf—as a metaphorical and literal saving grace that provided the mental framework for his rehabilitation.

Why is Nlareb pivoting to para-athletics over para-golf?

Nlareb has expressed a desire to compete in the Los Angeles Olympic Games. However, para-golf is not currently a recognized Olympic discipline. This exclusion from the Olympic program has prompted Nlareb to shift his focus toward para-athletics, where he can pursue a path toward the Games.

To make this transition, Nlareb requires specialized equipment. He has stated that he is currently awaiting the acquisition of “lames” (running blades), the carbon-fiber prosthetics necessary for competitive sprinting and jumping in para-athletics.

The trajectory from the streets to the Alps Tour

Nlareb’s rise to professional golf began in extreme poverty. He describes his early life as a “street child,” facing systemic hardship before finding the sport. His ascent was not immediate but was the result of a combination of chance and rigorous work.

His entry into the Alps Tour served as a benchmark for African golfers, proving that the transition from non-traditional backgrounds to the European professional circuit was possible. This period of his life serves as the primary contrast to his current struggle for mobility and athletic reentry.

For those unfamiliar with the structure of European golf, the Alps Tour operates as a developmental circuit where players compete for rankings to move up to the Challenge Tour and eventually the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour).

What is the goal of ‘Sauvé par le swing’?

In his book, Sauvé par le swing, Nlareb documents the psychological and physical toll of his illness and the subsequent process of rebuilding his identity. The narrative focuses on determination and the refusal to be defined by disability.

The book serves as both a memoir of his professional achievements and a guide to resilience. By sharing the details of his amputations and his current ambition to reach the Los Angeles Games, Nlareb aims to provide a blueprint for others facing catastrophic health events.

Nlareb’s next objective remains the acquisition of professional-grade prosthetic blades to begin formal training in para-athletics. His progress toward the Los Angeles Games depends on this equipment and his ability to meet the qualifying standards for para-athletic events.