Antonella Ruiz Diaz

Started: She took up the sport in 2017. (Athlete, 09 Nov 2019) Reason: Sports teacher Gustavo Briosso spotted her playing basketball and encouraged her to try Para athletics. "He asked me if I wanted to try it out. I didn't even know what a shot put ball or a discus was. I said yes but told him that I didn't know how to do it. Then came coach Bernardo Pignataro and he taught me the technique. As they liked how I did, they invited me to train with the national team." (clarin.com, 25 Oct 2021; Athlete, 09 Nov 2019) Awards: She and football 5-a-side player Angel Deldo were flag bearers for Argentina at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. (gualeguaychu.gov.ar, 24 Nov 2023; pateandolimites.com, 08 Oct 2023) In 2022 she was named winner of the Silver Olympia Award for Para Athlete of the Year by the Sports Journalists Circle in Argentina. (gualeguaychu.gov.ar, 24 Dec 2022) In 2019 she was named Para Athlete of the Year in Gualeguaychu, Argentina. (viapais.com.ar, 05 Dec 2019) Additional Info: EDUCATION She gave up her physical education studies due to her athletics commitments. She later studied to become a fitness instructor. "I loved it because I could work with adults, who I understand better than children. I even convinced my mother to try it." (clarin.com, 25 Oct 2021)