Josemarcio Sousa

Started: He began playing goalball at age 15. (Athlete, 01 Apr 2016) Reason: He was encouraged to try the sport by his brother and one of his teachers at school. "When I started with goalball I had a dream but nothing else. I didn't have money, I didn't have training equipment, I only had a dream and that was to live off my sport. Nobody believed in me. I said, 'One day I will live off my sport'." (paralympic.org, 18 Apr 2024; oliberal.com, 16 Apr 2019) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (odiariodemogi.net.br, 24 Dec 2022) Milestones: He was part of the team that won Brazil's first Paralympic gold medal in goalball when they triumphed at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jul 2024) Awards: In 2017 and 2023 he was named Goalball Player of the Year by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB]. (gazetaesportiva.com, 05 Dec 2017; cbdv.org.br, 13 Dec 2023) Additional Info: EARLY DAYS He was initially unable to afford the specialist equipment such as goggles and protective pads that are required to play goalball. "The cheapest goggles here in Brazil cost around 300 Brazilian real [about 50 USD]. I didn't have a dollar to eat, can you imagine buying glasses like that? I didn't have the proper shoes to play with, so I played barefoot. I didn't have the right clothes. There was no knee brace, no elbow pads." (sagresonline.com.br, 02 Nov 2019) FURTHER EDUCATION Having obtained a degree in business administration, he went on to also study physical education. "I am getting a second degree now, in physical education, to prepare myself for my post-career life. After I retire, I want to continue to work with Para sports and contribute to its development." (paralympic.org, 18 Apr 2024)

Sporting Relatives: His sister Lucilene Sousa has represented Brazil in Para swimming. She won a silver medal in the 49 points mixed 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (ge.globo.com, 20 Aug 2021; SportsDeskOnline, 21 Dec 2023)