Daniel Dias.
Para swimmer Daniel Dias is Brazil’s most successful athlete in the last decade. In 2016 he was awarded the “Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability”.
Para swimmer Daniel Dias is Brazil’s most successful athlete in the last decade. In 2016 he was awarded the “Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability”.
Unstoppable.
Daniel, who was born with deformities in his upper and lower limbs, did not learn to swim until he was 16 years old. Within just two months, he had mastered all four strokes. Two years later he entered his first international competition – the IPC Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa – where he won three gold and two silver medals.
Daniel comes from Campinas, north of São Paulo, and has celebrated more successes than any other Brazilian athlete in the last decade. Having garnered incredible 27 medals at recent Paralympic Games (from Beijing 2008 through to Tokyo 2020), his achievements as a Paralympic athlete are potentially record-breaking. At the 2008 Beijing Games alone, he won nine medals – four of which were gold. This winning streak continued at the IPC World Championships in 2010 in Eindhoven, where he won eight gold medals and one silver medal.
At London in 2012, Daniel won a further six titles – all in world record time. And at the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016 he added four gold medals, three silver and two bronze medals. With three more bronze medals, he made it to the podium in Tokyo.
In 2019, at the Parapan American Games in Lima, he gained his thirtieth Parapan American title.
“Keep smiling! A smile can change a person´s day and life. So spread the joy and create a better and more happy environment around you."
As a ambassador Daniel wants to share his history and victories to motivate others, showing them that the impairment is just a feature, and that it does not describe the person at all.
"Inside each person there is a power that can shine and make great achievements. I really hope that my success will encourage young people with disabilities to take up swimming.”
A role model for the next generation.
But Daniel hasn’t finished yet. Before the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, he stepped forwards as an ambassador for Brazil. Not only does he want the whole world to hear about the Paralympic Games; he also wants to inspire the next generation of Paralympic athletes.
“Inspiring people is a priceless privilege. Breaking down barriers, motivating people – including people with disabilities – and helping young athletes are all difficult tasks, but I find them immensely rewarding.”
In 2009, 2013 and 2016, Daniel was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability for his impressive achievements in the pool and for his commitment to helping young people with disabilities.
Key facts.
Nation: Brazil
Year of birth: 1988
Sport: Para swimming
Classification: S5, SB4 and SM5
Coach: Igor Russi
Club: Daniel Dias Institute
Victories and achievements.
27 medals at the Paralympic Games including, 14 gold medals
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games:
Bronze medals in the 100 metres and 200 freestyle and in the 4 x 50 m freestyle relay
4th place in the 50 m freestyle
5th place in the 50 m backstroke
6th place in the 50 m butterfly
Rio 2016 Paralympic Games:
Gold medals in the 50, 100 and 200 m freestyle and 50 m backstroke
Silver medals in the 100 m breaststroke and in the 4 x 50 m and 4 x 100 m freestyle relay
Bronze medals in the 50 m butterfly and in the 4 x 100 m relay
London 2012 Paralympic Games:
Gold medals in the 50, 100 and 200 m freestyle, 50 m backstroke, 50 m butterfly and 100 m breaststroke
Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games:
Gold medals in the 100 m and 200 m freestyle, 50 m backstroke and 200 m positions
40 medals at the Para Swimming World Championships, including 30 gold medals
3x winner of the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.