Mexico City 2017: Fewer events but more motivation for Daniel Dias

“I have great memories from Mexico. It will be a great pleasure to be back in this country, this time for the World Championships."

Daniel Dias will be one of the big names competing at the World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City, from 30 September-6 October.

Nothing but another glittering performance is expected from Brazil's most decorated Paralympian ever, who earlier this year won the inaugural men´s World Series individual title.

In Mexico City, the 29-year-old will be competing in only four events, far less than at previous World Championships. Two years ago in Glasgow, Great Britain, Dias took part in eight events, winning seven golds and one silver.

“I am training hard to achieve good results and I expect a good performance in Mexico City,” said Dias, who will swim the men´s 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle S5, and 50m backstroke S5. “The difference now compared to previous World Championships is that I will compete in fewer events. Besides that, there will also be the challenge with the altitude.”

Mexico City 2017 will be the fifth World Championships he participates in, after competing at Durban 2006, Eindhoven 2010, Montreal 2013 and Glasgow 2015. So far he has won nothing less than 24 world titles.

The 29-year-old also still has fresh on his memory the last time he competed at a major swimming competition in Mexico, when he took part in the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games.

On that occasion, Dias won staggering 11 golds out of 11 events. “I have great memories from Mexico because of that edition of the Parapans,” he said. “It will be a great pleasure to be back in this country, this time for the World Championships.

“Guadalajara 2011 was a great event where I had the privilege to finish top of the individual medals table. I have many good memories from it. My goal was not to win 11 golds but to give the best of myself.

“In terms of number of medals I won it was definitely one of the best performances I have ever delivered. All of them were very important to me and I recall that event with great affection.”

Mexico City 2017 will be the first big event in the lead-up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where Dias will probably add more medals to his haul.

“I have already made the planning for Tokyo 2020,” he said. “I also hope to learn a few words in Japanese before going!”

More information can be found on Mexico City 2017’s website.