The Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) announced this Tuesday (8) the 24 athletes elected as the best of 2021 in their respective modalities in the Paralympic Awards, in a ceremony held in São Paulo. Fourteen of the winners were medalists at the Tokyo Paralympics (Japan), eight of them winning gold.
In athletics, the winner was Yelstin Jacques, Paralympic champion in the 5,000 and 1,500 meters. In this last event, the long-distance runner not only broke the world record in the T11 class (blind) but also won Brazil’s 100th gold medal in the history of the Games. In swimming, Carol Santiago was recognized for the five podiums achieved in Tokyo, appearing three times at the top of the S12 class (low vision), in the 50 and 100 meters (m) freestyle and in the 100 m breaststroke.
The first awardee of the night is Yeltsin Jacques, for #Athletics! He won Brazil’s 100th gold medal in Paralympic Games during Tokyo! #Paralympics Award per @lotterycaixa pic.twitter.com/rJ3xxWXuBg
— Brazilian Paralympic Committee (@cpboficial) February 8, 2022
Gold in the 200 m in the VL2 class (canoe for athletes who use arms and trunk for paddling), Fernando Rufino, the Cowboy of Steel, was chosen as the best canoeist. In weightlifting, the winner was Mariana D’Andrea, Paralympic champion in the under 73 kilos (kg) category. In judo, the winner was Alana Maldonado, who went to the top of the podium in the under 70 kg category.
Water Cowboy? ? Fernando Rufino, gold in Tokyo, is awarded by the #Canoeing!#Paralympics Award per @lotterycaixa pic.twitter.com/HLhT3TSHtv
— Brazilian Paralympic Committee (@cpboficial) February 8, 2022
In taekwondo, who took the prize was Nathan Torquato, gold in the category up to 61 kilos of the K44 class (unilateral amputation of the elbow to the hand joint). Finally, in the collective sports in which Brazil was champion, the winners were Leomon Moreno in goalball and Raimundo Nonato in blind football (new nomenclature for five-a-side football).
The award-winning #Taekwondo won every match at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, including the gold medal. Come in, Nathan Torquato!#Paralympics Award per @lotterycaixa pic.twitter.com/3OHpcE6h53
— Brazilian Paralympic Committee (@cpboficial) February 8, 2022
The other Tokyo medalists awarded this Tuesday were Maciel Santos (boules), Jovane Guissone (wheelchair fencing), Rodolpho Riskalla (equestrian), Renê Campos (rowing), Bruna Alexandre (table tennis) and Edwarda Oliveira ( sitting volleyball). Chosen as the best snow sports in 2021, Aline Rocha will represent the country at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing (China) starting on March 4, in cross-country skiing.
The setter of the Brazilian National Team, who brought the bronze in Tokyo, Duda Oliveira, is awarded by the #Sitting Volleyball!#Paralympics Award per @lotterycaixa pic.twitter.com/05FKe5wNHo
— Brazilian Paralympic Committee (@cpboficial) February 8, 2022
The event continues this Wednesday (9), at 19:00 (Brasília time), with the delivery of 11 more awards: Aldo Miccolis (aimed at people or institutions that contributed to parasports), Paralympic Personality, Caixa Award (aimed at confederation whose modalities most shone in Tokyo), Paralympic Memory, Best Individual Coach, Best Collective Coach, Braskem Award (which honors the athlete who stood out for exemplary and inspiring behavior), Breakthrough Athlete, Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete and Athlete from the guys.
In this last award, the choice is made by popular and online vote that will be closed during this Wednesday’s ceremony. Competitors are Beth Gomes (athletics), Carol Santiago (swimming), Gabriel Araújo (swimming), Thalita Simplício (athletics) and Thiago Paulino (athletics).
Our presenters gave the tip: vote for #AtletaDaGalera!https://t.co/97w4XtXrDj#Paralympics Award per @lotterycaixa pic.twitter.com/AHu1K5pjiM
— Brazilian Paralympic Committee (@cpboficial) February 8, 2022
Check out the rest of this Tuesday’s winners
Badminton: Vitor Tavares
Wheelchair basketball: Pearl Santos
Cycling: Lauro Chaman
PC Football (cerebral palsies): Jose Mario Lima
Wheelchair rugby: Gabriel Feitosa
Wheelchair shoes: Ymanitu Silva
Archery: Helcio Perillo
Shooting Sports: Alexandre Galgani
Triathlon: Jessica Messali
