Through this series of videos, Sportiw highlights the journey of Queido Traoré, handball player and reflection of a new generation of athletes. Between training sessions, decision-making, questions about the future and online presence, he shares with sincerity his daily life as a player.
In 5 short and authentic episodes, this series offers a human perspective on what it means to be an athlete today.
The beginnings of Queido in handball
“I discovered handball when I was 7 years old, thanks to the encouragement of a friend’s father. We used to play a lot outside, often in the street, and one day he invited me to try handball at the local gym. He asked my parents, and they agreed, so I started to test it out. From that moment, I developed a passion for the sport, and it became a significant part of my life as I grew up.
I have a special connection with Chambéry because when I arrived at the training center there at 17, I quickly integrated into the professional team during my first year. Several professional players in my position were injured, so I was thrown into the deep end right away. I performed well and earned the trust of both the coaches and the players. It was an exceptional team with exceptional players. In fact, I played more than half of the matches with them that first year.
I moved between the national league with the Chambéry training center and the first division with the pros, making it an incredible year for me. I have a strong story with this club—everything has aligned perfectly from the start. My children have grown up here, and I met my wife here as well.”
The trigger: when becoming a pro becomes obvious
“The turning point for me actually took some time to arrive. As I mentioned, I started playing in small teams, mostly just with my friends. When I joined the SP study program in Lyon, I was more focused on my studies—handball was more of a side activity.
Later, I began participating in the French national team selections. That experience taught me discipline, rigor, and perseverance. If you truly want to wear the blue jersey, you have to respect certain values important for representing France. This process really helped me grow mentally and psychologically.
One exceptional year for me was when we were in the U21 category. We won the World Championship in Brazil against Denmark. It was a historic year because every age category won their championship—U17, U19, U21, and even the seniors.
That was when I realized I had a genuine passion for handball and that I could build a career from it.”
His inspirations and advice to move forward
“Many people inspire me, but I’ll take the example of Nicolas Carabati. He was exceptional from a young age, winning everything. He had the mentality of a warrior — a true fighter. There was an incredible aura around him that inspired many and made you want to follow his example in terms of discipline and rigor.
I even listened to interviews where he talked about his diet and habits. Honestly, I think he’s a great example for young athletes who want to succeed. It’s essential to have role models to dream big.
My advice is: believe in your dreams, give everything you have, and don’t have regrets. Enjoy your time on the field. Discipline and rigor in daily life are crucial. Everything you do outside the ball will impact your performance — your eating habits, your balance in life. I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun, but it’s important to find the right balance and especially to enjoy yourself when you’re playing.
Again, not everyone will succeed, and it’s important to accept that. The path will be tough and long, but you have to give it your all to get there.”
What will Queido do after his career?
“For me, it’s actually quite simple. Everything that happens on the field stays on the field, and I manage to separate that from my family life. People often say that rest periods are all about recovery, but for me, I also need to do other things outside of handball. That balance helps me perform well during key moments on the court.
I have three children, so my routine is a bit different. I wake up earlier than many athletes without kids, and sometimes I skip naps to work on other projects instead. Right now, I’m collaborating with my wife on a new business that will launch in the French market. This project fits perfectly with everything I’m doing.
I recently launched my mindset program, Révolution du Mindset – Déclencheur du Succès, on January 30th. This new business project with my wife is something we’ve wanted to start for a while, but we hadn’t found the right idea until now. It’s really close to our hearts.
For me, what happens at home doesn’t necessarily affect what happens on the field.”
His online presence: a necessity
“Thanks to my online presence, I’ve been able to help many young people. I see it through all the positive feedback I receive. Some young athletes regain their confidence, and even parents thank me for the support I provide their kids. They tell me, “Thank you for what you do on social media; you’re inspiring, and my son is bouncing back because of it.” That means a lot to me.
For me, just being able to help young people like this means I’ve already achieved my goal. It’s really important because many athletes don’t realize that social media is a golden opportunity. There are so many chances available, and it’s just about knowing how to seize the right ones.
There’s no shame in showing yourself on social media. Of course, kindness and respect are essential—that’s natural and understandable. But honestly, negativity exists everywhere. The same thoughts and doubts appear whether it’s on social media or in a sports career: when you change clubs or when you don’t, people question your choices.
For me, it’s the exact same thing. There are so many opportunities on social media, just like in sports. I know there will be ups and downs, just like in any sport, but once I’m convinced of something, I give it 1000%.”