Jorge Carinao

Started: He began weightlifting at age 13. At age 19, he took up Para powerlifting. (Athlete, 12 Jul 2019) Reason: Having competed in weightlifting before his accident, he was determined to get involved in a sport again once he had recovered. He looked into wheelchair tennis before a coach recommended he try Para powerlifting. (CDF YouTube channel, 23 May 2019) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (lachispadeldeporte.cl, 28 May 2023) Awards: He was named the 2016 Para Athlete of the Year by the Circle of Sports Journalists of Chile. (lachispadeldeporte.cl, 28 May 2023) Additional Info: PARAPAN PROPOSAL He proposed to his partner Camila at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, having just won gold in the 65kg category. "I bought the ring few months ago. I had it with me, in my wheelchair, all this time. I was thinking how to propose to her, it's something really personal for us. But the idea of doing it here in the Games kept growing, to make the Games memorable for both of us." (Instagram profile, 20 Nov 2023)