Daniel Dias starts World Series title defence

Brazil’s multiple-Paralympic champion Daniel Dias will kick off his World Para Swimming World Series title defence on home soil in Sao Paulo when he takes to the pool between 26 and 28 April. The 29-year-old will swim the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle S5, and 50m backstroke S5.

The last time Dias competed was at the Mexico City 2017 World Championships last December, when he claimed six golds.

The third event of this season’s World Series follows up from the Copenhagen and Indianapolis legs and will feature 171 swimmers from 10 countries competing.

Another 2017 World Series champion who will participate in Sao Paulo is Alberto Abarza, who finished top of the men’s S/SB 1-3 High Support Needs overall rankings. The Chilean will compete in the men’s 50m and 100m backstroke S2, and 50m and 200m freestyle S2.

Brazil will also be hopeful of winning further gold through seven-time Mexico City 2017 world champion Andre Brasil and five-time Paralympic silver medallist Phelipe Rodrigues.

Argentina’s three-time Paralympian Daniela Gimenez will be another big name making her season debut. The 2017 world champion will swim the women’s 50m and 100m freestyle S9, 100m breaststroke SB9 and 200m individual medley SM9.

Cuban Paralympic and world champion Lorenzo Perez Escalona seeks to add another gold to his trophy cabinet. The 32-year-old will compete in the men’s 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle S6.

Swimmers from Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Portugal and Turkey will also take part in the competition.

Full results of the Sao Paulo World Series will be available on World Para Swimming's website.