Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today are making the sport one of the most successful and inspiring on the international stage.
With a combination of talent, resilience and determination, Brazilian athletes have won important titles and broken barriers, showing the world the power of adapted sport.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today, learning about their careers, their main achievements and the impact each of these athletes has on the sport. Read on and check them out!
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Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today
1. Bruna Alexandre
- Category: Class 10
- Disability: Congenital amputation of her right arm as a result of a stroke
Bruna Alexandre is one of Brazil’s biggest names in Paralympic table tennis today, being the only one to have competed in both the traditional Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games!
The athlete started playing at the age of 12 and quickly made a name for herself in national and international competitions.
In her career, Bruna has won several medals at world championships and the Parapan American Games.
Her greatest achievement was the team silver medal and individual bronze at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, as well as another silver at Tokyo 2020.
Main achievements
- Gold in the doubles and bronze in the singles at the World Championships in Spain 2022
- Silver in singles and bronze in teams at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Bronze in singles and doubles at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
- Bronze in singles and teams at the 2014 World Championships in China
Read also: 7 rules of Paralympic table tennis to master the sport
2. Sophia Kelmer
- Category: Class 8
- Disability: Cerebral palsy, due to an intrauterine stroke (during pregnancy)
Even at a very young age, Sophia Kelmer is already one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today.
Cerebral palsy affects her balance and coordination, but Sophia has stood out for her skill and focus.
She has already won medals in international competitions, including the Youth Parapan in 2023, where she shone, showing that she has a promising future ahead of her.
The athlete will be in Paris, where she is one of our country’s medal hopes.
Main achievements
- Silver in the women’s singles and bronze in the women’s doubles WD14-20 and mixed doubles XD14-17 at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023
- Gold in the women’s singles and doubles at the Youth Parapan in Bogotá 2023
- Four-time Brazilian champion in class 8
3. Joyce Oliveira
- Category: Class 4
- Disability: Spinal cord injury
Joyce Oliveira is one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today, and also one of the most experienced in class 4, for athletes with spinal cord injuries.
She started in the sport at the age of 13 and since then has accumulated important achievements, such as the gold medal at the 2019 and 2023 Parapan American Games.
Joyce has also represented Brazil at the Paralympic Games, always ranking among the best in the world in her category. In 2024, she will be with the other athletes in search of a podium finish at the Paralympics in Paris.
Main achievements
- Gold in the women’s doubles WD5-10 and mixed doubles XD10 and silver in the women’s singles at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Gold in the individual and team events at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Individual gold at the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games
- Team bronze at the Rio 2007 Parapan American Games
4. Cátia Oliveira
- Category: Class 2
- Disability: Spinal cord injury
Cátia Oliveira’s life was transformed after a car accident left her paraplegic. However, she went on to become one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today, turning the sport into a new passion and purpose.
Cátia quickly rose through the ranks, winning silver at the 2018 World Championships and bronze at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.
Her determination led her to represent Brazil at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where she again showed her strength and skill, winning a bronze medal!
In Paris, the athlete is aiming even higher with, who knows, a gold!
Main achievements
- Gold in the women’s doubles WD5-10 and mixed doubles XD4-7 at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023
- Bronze in doubles and singles at the World Championships in Spain 2022
- Bronze in the individual at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Bronze at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Silver at the World Championships in Slovenia 2018
- Individual gold and team silver at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.
Read also: TOP 10 Best paralympic athletes in Brazil today: strong names for the Olympic podium
5. Evellyn Santos
- Category: Class 3
- Disability: Spinal cord injury
Evellyn Santos is one of the great promises of Brazilian paralympic table tennis in class 3.
With a spinal cord injury, Evellyn had to overcome many difficulties, but found a way to reinvent herself in sport.
One of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today, she has already won several medals in national tournaments and is gaining ground in international competitions, showing her potential as one of the country’s greatest athletes.
Main achievements
- Silver in the singles at the Spanish Paralympic Open
- Silver in the women’s doubles at the Brazil F40 Open
6. Paulo Salmin
- Category: Class 7
- Disability: Cerebral palsy
Paulo Salmin is one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today. The athlete competes in class 7, a category that includes athletes with cerebral palsy.
He started in the sport at a young age and quickly stood out for his talent and determination.
Salmin is a two-time winner of the Parapan American Games (2015 and 2019) and has represented Brazil in several editions of the Paralympic Games, as he will do in 2024, always seeking to improve his performance and win new victories.
Main achievements
- Gold in the men’s singles class 7 and silver in the men’s doubles MD14 at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023
- Gold in the doubles and bronze in the singles at the World Championships in Spain 2022
- Gold in the individual and team events at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Individual and team gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games
7. Luiz Filipe Manara
- Category: Class 8
- Disability: Cerebral palsy
Luiz Filipe Manara is a phenomenon and one of the medal hopes at the 2024 Paralympics.
With three Parapan American titles in a row in class 8, the athlete is one of the best on the planet in his field.
Main achievements
- Three-time champion in the men’s individual class 8 at the Parapan American Games (Santiago 2023, Lima 2019 and Toronto 2015)
- Two-time team champion at the Parapan (Lima 2019 and Toronto 2015)
- Bronze medalist in the MD18 men’s doubles at Santiago 2023.
8. Israel Stroh
- Category: Class 7
- Disability: Cerebral palsy
Israel Stroh is a Paralympic medalist. In 2016, he won the silver medal at the Rio Games and became one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today.
The athlete remains among the best and is going to Paris in search of another medal.
Main achievements
- Silver in the men’s singles, mixed doubles XD14-17 and men’s doubles MD14 at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023
- Silver in the doubles and bronze in the singles at the Finnish Paralympic Open 2022
- Silver in the individual at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
- Silver at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.
10. Marliane Santos
- Category: Class 3
- Disability: Spinal cord injury
Marliane Santos competes in class 3, where she has made a name for herself as one of Brazil’s top athletes. With a spinal cord injury, Marliane has found a way to excel in table tennis and achieve great things.
She already has medals in international tournaments under her belt and is a strong candidate for future achievements in major events such as the Parapan American and Paralympic Games.
Main achievements
- Gold in the women’s individual class 3 at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Silver in the women’s doubles WD5-10 at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Bronze in the doubles at the World Championships in Spain 2022
- Team gold and individual silver at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.
10. Danielle Rauen
- Category: Class 9
- Disability: Hemiplegia
Danielle Rauen is one of Brazil’s most talented athletes in class 9, for athletes with hemiplegia.
From a young age, Danielle excelled at table tennis, winning national and international titles and becoming one of Brazil’s biggest names in Paralympic table tennis today.
With two bronze medals at the Paralympics and a three-time winner of the Parapan American Games, Danielle is known for her team spirit and determination.
Her main achievements
- Gold in the class 9 women’s individual and the WD14-20 (women) and XD20 (mixed) doubles at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Team bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Two-time winner of the Parapan American Games (Lima 2019 and Toronto 2015)
- Team bronze in the 6-10 class at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Brazil’s biggest names in Paralympic table tennis today
The list of Brazil’s 10 biggest names in paralympic table tennis today includes the following athletes:
- Bruna Alexandre
- Sophia Kelmer
- Joyce Oliveira
- Cátia Oliveira
- Evellyn Santos
- Paulo Salmin
- Luiz Filipe Manara
- Claudio Massad
- Thiago Gomes
- Marliane Santos
- Danielle Rauen
With this list in hand, you can organize your supporters and watch these Brazilians shine!
After all, Brazilian paralympic table tennis is rich in talent, with athletes who not only accumulate victories, but also inspire with their stories of overcoming.
Each of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic table tennis today contributes to strengthening the sport in Brazil and around the world, taking the country to the top of the main international competitions.
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