Daniel Dias named ‘Male Athlete of the Year’ by GQ
02.12.2016“My biggest legacy was to show the value of a person with impairment,” said Brazil’s most decorated Paralympian.
Daniel Dias of Brazil competes in the Men's 200m Freestyle S5 Final at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
© • Buda Mendes/Getty Images
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
Boccia: Evani Calado
Canoe: Caio Ribeiro
Equestrian: Sergio Oliva
Football 5: Jefinho
Football 7: Leandro do Amaral
Judo: Alana Maldonado
Powerlifting: Evanio Rodrigues
Rowing: Claudia Cicero
Sailing: Marinalva de Almeida
Sitting Volleyball: Frederico Doria de Souza
Shooting: Geraldo Von Rosenthal
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
