Brazil’s main sport at the Paralympics is athletics, which has won 170 medals in the history of the Games (48 gold, 70 silver and 52 bronze). Among the athletes who have contributed and have a chance of contributing even more to this record is Petrucio Ferreira.
One of the biggest names in Paralympic athletics worldwide, with five Paralympic medals (two of which are gold), the 100m record holder and considered the fastest paratriathlete in the world, he has turned adversity into extraordinary achievements.
In this article, we’ll learn about Petrucio Ferreira dos Santos’ titles, history and career, from his beginnings in Paralympic athletics to the impressive records he set.
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Who is Petrucio Ferreira dos Santos?
Petrucio Ferreira dos Santos is the most hated paralympic athlete in the history of the Games. The Brazilian paralympic sprinter competes in the T47 category, for athletes with upper limb disabilities. He is known for his phenomenal speed, which has earned him the nickname “Paralympic Lightning”.
The Brazilian is a four-time world champion in the 100m dash, and the current world and Paralympic champion and record holder in the sport.
He has won Olympic gold twice, at the Olympic Games in Rio-2016 and Tokyo-2020, where he set a new Paralympic record.
Even after years at the top, in Paris 2024, Petrucio remains one of Brazil’s greatest medal hopes in athletics.
Read also: TOP 10 | Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic athletics today
What is Petrucio Ferreira’s story?
Born on November 18, 1996, in São José do Brejo do Cruz, in the hinterland of Paraíba, Petrucio Ferreira faced challenges from the beginning of his life. In addition to the simplicity of the place where he and his family lived, at the age of two, Petrucio had an accident with a grass grinding machine and lost part of his left arm, below the elbow.
Even with the amputation, the Paraíba native continued to play sports with other children, one of his favorite sports being soccer, and it was playing soccer that the athlete caught the eye of a local coach because of his speed. The coach then invited Petrucio to train in athletics.
Years later, in 2019, Petrucio became the fastest paralympic athlete in the world with 10s42 in the 100m.
Before that, however, in 2012, the para-athlete decided to leave his hometown and moved to João Pessoa, the state capital, where he would be better able to devote himself fully to para-athletics.
Just three years later, in 2015, Petrucio became a gold medalist in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the Parapan American Games in Toronto.
In 2016, at the Rio Paralympics, he won his first Paralympic gold medal.
But in addition to the gold in the 100 meters, Petrucio Ferreira also won two silver medals: in the 400 meters and the 4×100 meter relay.
At the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he became a two-time Paralympic champion in the 100-meter dash, as well as winning a bronze medal in the 400-meter race.
Petrucio Ferreira dos Santos’ main titles
There are many titles and achievements for Petrucio Ferreira dos Santos, among the main ones are:
- Gold in the 100m at the World Championships in Kobe 2024
- Gold in the 100m at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Silver in the 4x100m relay at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Gold in the 100m at the Paris 2023 World Championships
- Gold in the 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Bronze in the 400m at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Gold in the 100m at the Dubai World Championships 2019
- Gold in the 400m at the Dubai World Cup 2019
- Gold in the 100m at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Gold in the 400m at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Silver in the 4x100m relay at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Gold in the 100m at the London 2017 World Championships
- Gold in the 200m at the London 2017 World Championships
- Gold in the 100m at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
- Silver in the 400m at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
- Silver in the 4x100m relay at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
So far, he has won six golds at the World Championships in various Paralympic athletics disciplines: 400m, 200m and 100m.
In the Paralympics, the Paraíba native has two golds (two times champion in the 100m dash), two silvers and a bronze.
What records does Petrucio Ferreira hold?
Petrucio Ferreira is a born record holder. In 2016, during the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he broke the world record for the 100 meters in the T47 category with a time of 10.57 seconds. He later beat his own mark, setting a new world record of 10.42 seconds at the World Paralympic Athletics Championships in Dubai in 2019.
In which events does he compete in Paralympic athletics?
Petrucio Ferreira competes mainly in the 100 meter and 200 meter races in the T47 category. He has also competed in relays, such as the 4×100 meters, where his speed helps the Brazilian team achieve important results.
How did he get started in Paralympic athletics?
Before reaching the top, Petrucio had to face challenges, like every Paralympic athlete.
As well as starting life in a city with few options for Paralympic projects and losing part of his arm at the age of two, the athlete had no knowledge of athletics.
However, with the support of coaches who were enchanted by his speed on the soccer field, the athlete began to train and take flight.
It was in 2012, during the London Paralympic Games, that, watching the athletes on television, he decided that he was going to be one of the big names in the sport.
So he moved to João Pessoa, where he used his natural talent and determination to become one of the best in the country.
In 2014, Petrucio made his international debut at the World Paralympic Athletics Championships in Doha, where he won medals and began to consolidate his name as a promising athlete.
Curiosities about Petrucio Ferreira
- Petrucio Ferreira grew up in a rural community in the interior of Paraíba and, before becoming an athlete, helped his family in the fields.
- As well as athletics, Petrucio is a big fan of music, especially forró.
- Because of his inspiring story, Petrucio Ferreira has become an important figure in promoting paralympic sport in Brazil, not only on the track, but also by taking part in campaigns and motivational talks, encouraging young people with disabilities to pursue their dreams in sport.
- Petrúcia not only broke the 100-meter world record in the T47 category once, but managed to beat his own mark on several occasions. He holds the world record with a time of 10.42 seconds, set in 2019.
Petrucio Ferreira is more than an athlete; he is an inspiration to all who face adversity.
With an exciting life story and a career full of records and achievements, Petrucio continues to break barriers and raise Brazil’s name on the international Paralympic stage.
Now that you know more about Petrucio Ferreira’s story, take the opportunity to find out all about the careers of other Brazilian sporting idols:
- Greatest Brazilians in Paralympics: meet the top 20 athletes
- Top Paralympic medalists: the top 20 champions
- TOP 10 Best paralympic athletes in Brazil today: strong names for the Olympic podium
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