Debora Borges Carneiro

Started: She began training with coaches in 2010 in Maringa, Brazil. (umpm.org.br, 01 Sep 2017) Reason: She first tried swimming in her family's pool. The sport then became part of her academic development, before she was spotted by a coach who encouraged her to start competing. Her father also thought swimming would occupy Debora and her twin sister Beatriz while he was working, as their mother had passed away when they were age 11. (revistamarta.com, 02 Apr 2021; umpm.org.br, 01 Sep 2017) Awards: In February 2020 she was given a Merit Award by the Maringa Council in Brazil. (ofatomaringa.com.br, 10 Feb 2020) Additional Info: SIBLING RIVALRY She admits that she has a healthy rivalry with her twin sister Beatriz, who also represents Brazil in Para swimming. The pair regularly compete against each other, including at the 2023 World Championships in Manchester, England, where Debora finished first and Beatriz second in the SB14 100m breaststroke. "We are sisters and we like each other, but in the pool we want to beat each other. I know I need to keep my eye on two things - the clock and my sister. But it is a healthy rivalry because we train together and help motivate each other." (SportsDeskOnline, 15 Apr 2024; brasil2016.gov.br, 25 Apr 2016; globoesporte.globo.com, 23 Apr 2016) SHARED TATTOO She and her twin sister Beatriz both have the animated character Dory from the film 'Finding Nemo' tattooed on one of their arms. Alongside the character is the phrase 'continue a nadar' [keep swimming]. "We are huge fans of Dory from 'Finding Nemo' because she has an intellectual disability and she suffers from recent memory loss, so we tattooed 'keep swimming'. We're just like her." (paralympic.org, 29 Aug 2021)

Sporting Relatives: Her twin sister Beatriz has represented Brazil in Para swimming. She competed at the 2016 and 2020 editions of the Paralympic Games, claiming bronze in the SB14 100m breaststroke at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 18 Oct 2023; paralympic.org, 26 Aug 2019)