THE FASTEST ATHLETE IN THE AMERICAS WITH BETTER TIMES IN LIMA 2019

He used to love futsal when he was a teenager and started practicing sports. His speed called the attention of his coach who encouraged him to practice athletics. Petrúcio Ferreira is today the fastest Para athlete in the Americas and has the world record in 100 and 200 m T47.

The last day of Para athletics in Lima 2019, Petrúcio not only picked up the gold medal in 100 m and broke twice his own Parapan American record, he also won his first gold medal in 400 m, which is not his forte but shows that he is a well-rounded Para athlete.

“I leave quite happy with the two gold medals and after improving my own Parapan American record”. I knew it was going to be hard to improve my marks since I am just in the base period for the Dubai World Championship in November. This was a good training for improving my world record” he told Lima 2019.

That accident to his left arm at his house in Paraiba (northeast of Brazil) left him with a lesson. Two years after the accident he was still strong. Today he is stronger since he is able to achieve great things for his country.

“This happened to me as a child. My father’s mistake did not break me. I grew up adapting to my impairment and today I am happy. I even think that if I had my left arm, I would not be this fortunate. I even get to show the world nothing is impossible”, the world champion added.

Petrúcio added a fourth Parapan American title to his list of two gold medals in 100 and 200 m in the London 2017 World Championship and a Paralympic gold medal in 100 m in Rio 2016. His next goal is to have better the times of the best two Para athletes in the world for T11 and T12. He aims at great things.