The court of ADD (Sports Association for the Disabled) at the 18th edition of Reatech – International Fair for Inclusion, Accessibility, and Rehabilitation is hosting a wheelchair basketball competition. The internal tournament, however, features a high technical level, with the participation of four athletes called up to represent Brazil at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in October 2023.
Amauri Viana, Cristiano Junior, Serginho, and Wallace Carvalho were called up last Tuesday (3) to represent the country in the tournament taking place from November 17 to 26. Assistant coach Sileno Santos is yet another name who will also be at the competition.
The expectation of the Brazilian National Team is to manage to get on the podium in Santiago. In addition to the medal, the team aims to secure a spot at the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024. “The champion gets a direct spot and the other two compete in the world repechage. There is still a lack of some incentive, but we are improving,” comments Serginho, who was introduced to the sport precisely at the event.
As a child, she came alongside her mother as a visitor and discovered a great passion there. “This event is very important, because many people don't know what a Paralympic sport is. It can change a person's life, as was my case. I lived in Paraná, without opportunities, and I found this chance here. Sport helped me with my independence, my autonomy, and gave me a purpose in life,” she comments.
