Rogerio Junior Xavier de Oliveira

Started: He discovered the sport in 2013. (cpb.org.br, 01 Dec 2023) Reason: He first learned about Para badminton during an exhibition at his school. (cpb.org.br, 01 Dec 2023) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Confederacao Brasileira de Badminton YouTube channel, 07 Nov 2023) Awards: In 2023 he received the Premio Paralimpico [Paralympic Award] as Best Para Badminton Player of the Year from the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB]. (bandsports.uol.com.br, 14 Dec 2023) Additional Info: MOTIVATION His partner is Brazilian Para badminton player [and Paralympic medallist in sitting volleyball] Edwarda de Oliveira Dias. They are also partners on the court and won gold together in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. "We met at Brazil's Paralympic Training Centre in Sao Paulo. We have been together for five years [speaking in 2023] and now we are playing mixed doubles together. When I met Edwarda, she was already a Paralympic medallist [in sitting volleyball]. I had a great admiration for her as I want to be a Paralympic medallist as well. Being with her has given me more energy to achieve this. Edwarda is a natural born leader. In sitting volleyball [as vice captain], she had great respect for her teammates and her teammates had great respect for her. And I feel the same while playing with her." (bwfbadminton.com, 05 Aug 2023

Sporting Relatives: His partner Edwarda de Oliveira Dias is a Para badminton player. The pair claimed gold together in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. She also won bronze medals in sitting volleyball at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 12 Mar 2024; bwfbadminton.com, 05 Aug 2023)