Glasgow 2015 to be Brasil’s first test before Rio

“We'll think of what hurts me later, when I'm old and cheering for other athletes and when my body can't take it anymore. Go hard or go home.”

Brazil’s twelve-time World Champion Andre Brasil has spoken of just how crucial July’s Worlds in Glasgow, Great Britain, will be after an injury last season dented his preparations for his home Paralympic Games at Rio 2016.

The S10 swimmer, who will compete in his fourth consecutive IPC Swimming World Championships from 13-19 July, is still going for gold despite missing out on crucial time in the pool.

“I will take it step by step until the Paralympics. The first one is Glasgow, and we also have the Parapan American Games. Then there are more practices and other competitions in 2016 until the Games,” the reigning triple world champion said.

As well as retaining all of his titles, he also hopes to add the men’s 100m backstroke to his collection at Glasgow 2015, something he has never done before.

“After a serious injury last year, I want to take the first steps towards Rio 2016. That includes some bold goals, like going after the gold medal in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 100m backstroke.”

But if Brasil fails to achieve his goals, he still considers Glasgow 2015 to be pivotal on his road to Rio.

“The medals are just details. I will be in Glasgow to do my best and give 100 per cent every time,” he said. “If that’s enough to win, I’ll be happy with it. It will be my first big test [ahead of Rio] and is an opportunity to get to know myself better. The World Championship is huge for my journey to Rio 2016.”

Brasil’s classification is filled with talent and the 31-year-old is not complacent about how much of a challenge it will be to secure victory against other world and Paralympic champions, as well as rising stars.

“They are all great friends of mine. I’d say [Benoit] Huot [Canada], Phelipe Andrews [Brazil] and Dimitry Grigorev [Russia] are my biggest competition,” he said.

Brasil, who grew up in Sao Paulo, has been a regular in the pool since he was just six months old. As a seven-time Paralympic champion and national hero, he spoke of the grit and determination required to be the best.

“When the doctor says: ‘Andre, you can't do that while working out on the gym, it'll hurt your back’, I answer: ‘Doctor, do you know what being a high profile athlete means? Pain 24 hours a day’. And if that's what it takes to reach my goals, that's what I'll be doing.

“We'll think of what hurts me later, when I'm old and cheering for other athletes and when my body can't take it anymore. Go hard or go home.”

Tickets for the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships are still available priced at GBP 10/15 for heats/finals, with children under 16 going free (terms and conditions apply). Heats start at 10am and finals at 6pm every day between 13-19 July.

Media accreditation is also still available.

The Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games run from 7-15 August. Tickets are also available.