Debora Menezes

Started: She took up Para taekwondo in 2013. (rededoesporte.gov.br, 09 May 2019) Reason: She previously played futsal and sitting volleyball, and also competed in Para athletics. She was introduced to Para taekwondo at university and decided to focus on the sport after missing out on qualification for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Para athletics. "I started it [taekwondo] as a hobby, but later it became more serious. I had a big disappointment when a qualifying competition [in Para athletics] for the [2016] Games was cancelled. I was preparing for five months for that. I was so frustrated that I even thought about putting an end [to her sporting career]. I didn't train for four months. But I realised that [competing at the Paralympic Games] was what I wanted. I couldn't stop." (terra.com.br, 22 Sep 2022; agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br, 08 May 2020; rededoesporte.gov.br, 09 May 2019, 06 Feb 2019) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (arenacorreio.com.br, 09 May 2024) Milestones: She became the first Para taekwondo athlete representing Brazil to claim a gold medal at the world championships when she won the K44 +58kg event at the 2019 edition in Antalya, Turkiye. (SportsDeskOnline, 27 May 2020; diomartkd.com.br, 06 Feb 2020) Awards: She received the 'Brasil Olimpico' [Olympic Brazil] Award for the Best Para Taekwondo Athlete of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019 from the Brazilian Paralympic Committee. (CBTKD TV YouTube channel, 18 Dec 2019; cpb.org.br, 10 Dec 2019) Additional Info: IMPORTANCE OF SPORT Sport played an important role in helping her to accept her impairment. Before taking up Para taekwondo, she played futsal for 12 years, competed in Para athletics at national level in Brazil, and also practised sitting volleyball. "To be honest, I didn't know how to behave with my impairment. My parents didn't either, but they always encouraged me. They said that life could not stop. It was important, mainly when I didn't want to go to school anymore, because if kids see something different they point it out. My mother came along with me to school for one year, to protect me. That strength was important for me to become who I am today. It [sport] was transforming. It broke many taboos and prejudices, even the one I had of not accepting myself like I am. I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror until I was 18 years old. Sport has an important meaning in my life. I found it a big ally to deal with my impairment." (rededoesporte.gov.br, 09 May 2019, 06 Feb 2019) OCCUPATION She has worked as a physical education teacher in Brazil. "Physical education played an important role in my life. That's why I decided to do it [professionally], to inspire and help other people to fulfil their dreams." (rededoesporte.gov.br, 09 May 2019)