Daniel Dias named ‘Male Athlete of the Year’ by GQ

Brazil’s multi-Paralympic swimming medallist Daniel Dias received the ‘Male athlete of the year’ award, given by men’s fashion and style magazine GQ Brazil.

At Rio 2016, the 28-year-old won four golds, three silvers and two bronzes to become his country’s most decorated Paralympian ever with 24 medals overall, including 14 golds, seven silvers and three bronzes, over three Paralympic Games.

Speaking to GQ, Dias said: “My story is not different from other people’s stories, everyone has to face their limitations to be where they are.

“Every athlete has to surpass oneself and the same applies to me. Because I do not have arms and I only have one leg does not mean that I got where I got by crawling.

“My biggest legacy was to show the value of a person with impairment. If I could put an end to the prejudice that people with impairment cannot contribute to society, I will be satisfied.”

Dias will now hope to receive the ‘Best Male Paralympian of the Year’ award, given by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and decided by popular vote on the CPB’s website.

Apart from Dias, who won this award in 2011 and 2013, football 5-a-side star Jefinho and track and field athlete Petrucio Ferreira are the other two shortlisted athletes.

Boccia player Evani Calado, and track and field athletes Shirlene Coelho and Silvania Costa are the ones shortlisted for the ‘Best Female Paralympian of the Year’ award.

People have time until 7 December to vote, when the winners will be announced at the 2016 Paralympic Awards gala to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

The CPB also announced the best athletes from the 22 sports contested at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Archery: Luciano Rezende

Athletics: Petrucio Ferreira

Boccia: Evani Calado

Canoe: Caio Ribeiro

Cycling: Lauro Chaman

Equestrian: Sergio Oliva

Football 5: Jefinho

Football 7: Leandro do Amaral

Goalball: Leomon Moreno

Judo: Alana Maldonado

Powerlifting: Evanio Rodrigues

Rowing: Claudia Cicero

Sailing: Marinalva de Almeida

Sitting Volleyball: Frederico Doria de Souza

Shooting: Geraldo Von Rosenthal

Swimming: Daniel Dias

Table Tennis: Israel Stroh

Triathlon: Fernando Aranha

Wheelchair Basketball: Marcos Cândido Sanches da Silva

Wheelchair Fencing: Jovane Guissone

Wheelchair Rugby: Julio Cesar Braz

Wheelchair Tennis: Ymanitu Geon