Cristian Westemaier Ribera wins Brazil’s first ever Winter Paralympic medal
Para cross-country skier Cristian Westemaier Ribera made history for Brazil, winning the country’s first Paralympic Winter Games medal More live updates to come from Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium 10 Mar 2026
Para cross-country skier Cristian Westemaier Ribera made history on 10 March, winning Brazil’s first-ever medal at the Paralympic Winter Games.
Ribera claimed silver in the men’s sprint sitting event at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, finishing behind China’s Zixu Liu, who captured his second gold of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics.
Kazakhstan’s Yerbol Khamitov secured bronze on the opening day of Para cross-country competition.
Making history for Brazil
Ribera, who was born with a condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, had to undergo more than 20 surgeries in his youth. As part of his rehabilitation, doctors encouraged him to try various sports.
Ribera was introduced to Para cross-country skiing in 2015 as part of a project put together by the Brazilian Snow Sports Federation with the support of the International Paralympic Committee’s development arm. The project’s aim was to have a Brazilian athlete contending for a medal at the 2030 Paralympic Winter Games.
But Ribera is ahead of schedule and made history four years earlier at the Tesero Para Cross-Country Stadium.
Ribera made his Paralympic debut at PyeongChang 2018, where his best result was sixth place in the men’s 15km sitting. Four years later, he competed at Beijing 2022 but finished off the podium.
Entering his third Paralympic Winter Games in Italy, the 23-year-old Ribera was seen as one of the athletes to watch in Para cross-country skiing.
That came after he secured four FIS Para Cross-Country World Championship medals, including gold in the men’s sprint sitting in Trondheim, Norway, in March 2025, cementing his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.
Where to watch and listen to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.
For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org
