After success in Glasgow, Dias shifts sights to Toronto

“It is growing a lot...I think it’s going to be stronger, more people will know about it and that will be great.”

Brazil’s now 24-time world champion Daniel Dias does not have much time to enjoy his seven new gold medals from July’s World Championships, as he looks towards the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games which open on 7 August.

Dias, who left July’s Worlds in Glasgow, Great Britain, as the most decorated swimmer, was not just proud of his own achievements but that of his teammates who picked up 23 medals including 11 golds. He has confidence in them as they prepare to leave for Canada.

Speaking immediately after Glasgow 2015 concluded he said: “This has been an amazing week. I’m very happy with the result I had today and throughout the tournament. Not only me, but everybody represented Brazil really well. It was a great test for us for the Paralympic Games in Rio. To have the results so close to the world records means we’re doing the right thing.”

But Dias believes there is room for improvement to his own performance saying that “It always gets better”, as he prepares to defend 10 of the 11 Parapan titles he won in 2011.

The 27-year-old now wants to take some time to recuperate from his success in order to peak again in Toronto: “I just want to be with my family, with my son. I just want to stay holding him for three days. And then take a rest and get ready for Toronto.”

Dias was crowned Brazil's all-time top Paralympic medal winner after his success at London 2012. One year later at the World Championships in Montreal, Dias won six gold medals and two silvers.

As Brazil’s most successful Paralympian, Dias is hoping that Toronto 2015 and Rio 2016 will help bring more attention to the sport. “It is growing a lot...I think it’s going to be stronger, more people will know about it and that will be great.”

Swimming at Toronto 2015 gets underway on 8 August featuring around 220 athletes from 20 countries.