‘Rocketman’ Gabrielzinho wins third Paralympics swimming gold
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Gold medallist Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo of Brazil (centre) celebrates on the podium on Sept 2, 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – Brazilian swimmer Gabrielzinho said he felt like a “rocketman” after winning his third gold medal of the Paris Paralympics on Sept 2, when he raced to victory in the 200m freestyle S2 final with another remarkable display.
The 22-year-old, who has no arms or hands and whose legs are atrophied, clocked 3min 58.92sec in the La Defense Arena, with neutral athlete Vladimir Danilenko and Chile’s Alberto Abarza Diaz finishing second and third respectively.
The third gold for the Brazilian, whose full name is Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo, follows successes in the 50m and 100m backstroke.
“It’s a feeling of a mission accomplished, a duty accomplished. Because I came to Paris to get the three golds,” said Gabrielzinho. “So I’m really happy.”
At Tokyo 2020, he picked up two golds and one silver. Now he has achieved his goal of going one better.
Speaking to AFP in August, Gabrielzinho said his dream for Paris was to “turn his silver medal in the 100m backstroke into gold” and to win three gold medals.
“I have a feeling of a full, completed mission because I came all this way here to win the three golds. And now I’ve accomplished this goal,” added the swimmer.
After the race, silver medallist Danilenko described Gabrielzinho as “the rocketman”.
It was a statement the Brazilian later agreed with, adding with a chuckle: “I’m very happy and I hope to continue being the rocketman.
“And as they say, rockets don’t have wings, so let’s keep taking off.
“I’m really, really happy. I feel like I’m a rocketman and rockets don’t go backwards, (they) always go straight and always forward.”
The smiling, dancing Brazilian has become one of the stars of the Paris Games and his moves have caught the eye of fans around the globe.
The dancing “is a way of representing all Brazilian fans”, he explained, saying: “Since they cheer for me in the water, I represent them outside of it.
“And I want to see everyone dancing in Paris too.”
There will be one more chance for fans to enjoy Gabrielzinho’s moves on Sept 6 when he competes in the heats for the men’s 50m freestyle S3 – a different category to his other medals.
However, he does not think he has any chance of getting on the podium one last time in Paris.
“It’s going to be a S3. So I will compete only for fun,” said Gabrielzinho.
In para sports, athletes are grouped by the degree of activity limitation resulting from the impairment. The lower the number, the more severe the impairment.
In another outstanding swimming feat, neutral athlete Ihar Boki claimed his 20th Paralympic gold and fourth at the Games by winning the 50m freestyle S13 for the visually impaired.
Away from the pool, Japan beat three-time former champions United States 48-41 to claim their first gold in Paralympics wheelchair rugby.
Katsuya Hashimoto scored 19 tries for the Japanese, who had secured bronze in the past two Games.
AFP, REUTERS
