Maciel Sousa Santos

Santos captured the BC2 individual gold at the 2017 Americas Championship and secured big wins at the two following World Open competitions to move up to No. 2 in the world.

The Brazilian had a memorable Paralympics debut after winning individual gold at London 2012, but those expectations could not be carried over into Rio. He did not make it out of the pool stages after a 4-3 loss to South Korea’s Jeong So Yeong saw him finish in 11th place.

At the 2018 World Championships, he won his pool stage but failed to make it to the medal matches.

Santos was born with cerebral palsy and began to practice boccia when he was 11. Three years later he was already representing Brazil in international competitions. For almost a decade he has lived in Mogi das Cruzes, near Sao Paulo, where he practices with Dirceu Pinto, another Paralympic gold medallist.