Thiego Marques da Silva

Started: He began training in judo at age 12. (cpb.org.br, 01 Jun 2019) Reason: He took up the sport as a way to combat bullying. "I didn't know how to deal with it and I was invited to try the sport. I had no goal of becoming an athlete so I got involved with it as a hobby and to make some friends." (palmeiras.com.br, 18 Nov 2023; Secretaria Municipal de Esportes YouTube channel, 22 Sep 2023) Ambition: To become a Paralympic champion. (Secretaria Municipal de Esportes YouTube channel, 22 Sep 2023) Awards: In 2019 he received the Islander Sousa Sports Merit award in Parauapebas, Brazil. (Facebook page, 25 Sep 2019)