Brazilian Paralympic University Games come to an end

A total of 154 athletes, 107 men and 47 women, from 17 states and the Federal District competed across five sports (athletics, boccia, judo, swimming and table tennis) at the first edition of the Brazilian Paralympic University Games in the city of Sao Paulo, between 9-10 December.

Only 17-year-old athletes (born in 1999) enrolled in a higher education institution recognised by the Ministry of Education and with a physical, intellectual or visual impairment were eligible to compete.

The event took place at the Brazilian Paralympic Training Centre, where the Sao Paulo 2017 Youth Parapan American Games will be held from 20-25 March with 1,000 athletes, ages 12-21, from 20 countries competing in 12 sports.

Table tennis player Ramon Colombo da Silva delivered one of the stand-out performances, winning the men’s individual, pairs and team events.

Track and field athlete Diego Henrique Moraes Barbosa won golds in the men’s 200m, 400m and 1,500m T37 to finish as one of the most decorated athletes of the Games.

“With the success of the School Paralympics, we needed to build a bridge between grassroots sport and high-level sport,” said Brazilian Paralympic Committee Vice-president Ivaldo Brandao.

“We are offering people the opportunity to practice Para sports. After participating in this event, they will take their experience into Universities.

“It has been a successful experience and we hope this Paralympic University Games become an example for other countries. The more opportunities we open, the more we will develop Paralympic sports.”

Full results can be found on the CPB’s website.