Maria Rizonaide da Silva

Started: She began Para powerlifting in 2011. (ludovica.opopular.com.br, 07 Sep 2016) Reason: One of her colleagues invited her to try the sport in 2006, but it was another five years before she eventually did. "I used to say, 'I do not have any time to practise sports'. I did not even know what it was about. One day I decided to try it and the first time I saw it, I said, 'I am going to die with that bar at my throat'. Then I started going and now I love it." (globoesporte.globo.com, 08 Aug 2015) Awards: In 2015 she was named Powerlifter of the Year by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB]. (ludovica.opopular.com.br, 07 Sep 2016; soumaisrn.com.br, 01 Dec 2015) Additional Info: TRIBUTE She dedicated the gold medal she won at the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, ON, Canada, to her father. He had passed away just a few weeks before the competition started. "I am so happy to be here representing Brazil. I was so nervous but I gave it everything because Brazil deserves that. I lost my father 20 days ago and I was not in good shape. This medal is a tribute to him." (otempo.com.br, 08 Aug 2015)