Competing in the S2 category for athletes with severe physical impairments, the 22-year-old dominated the 200-metre freestyle event, clocking a time of 3 minutes 58.92 seconds at the La Défense Arena.

Gabrielzinho's performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he outpaced his rivals by a significant margin. Russia’s Vladimir Danilenko finished in second place with a time of 4 minutes 14.16 seconds, followed by Chile’s Alberto Abarza, who claimed bronze with a time of 4 minutes 22.18 seconds.

Speaking to reporters after the race, Gabrielzinho expressed his joy at achieving his goals. "I came to Paris with the aim of winning three gold medals, and I’m incredibly happy to have accomplished that. It’s a dream come true," he said.

This victory adds to the two gold medals he had already won earlier in the Games—first in the 100-metre backstroke on Thursday, followed by the 50-metre backstroke on Saturday. His success in Paris follows a stellar performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where he won two gold medals and one silver, further cementing his place as a leading figure in para-swimming.

Gabrielzinho’s journey to the top is as inspiring as his performances. Born with phocomelia, a rare congenital condition that resulted in shortened limbs, he has defied the odds throughout his life. Despite his physical challenges, he began swimming at the age of 13 after being encouraged by a teacher who entered him into a school competition without his parents’ knowledge. His unique swimming style, which resembles the undulating motion of a dolphin, was developed through years of intense training in his hometown of Juiz de Fora in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

In addition to his athletic achievements, Gabrielzinho has become a beloved figure both in Brazil and internationally. His joyous celebrations, which often include impromptu dances on the podium, have endeared him to fans around the world. "Dancing is my way of sharing my happiness with everyone, especially my fellow Brazilians. I want to bring a bit of our culture to Paris and make people smile," he explained.

As a prominent figure on social media, where he boasts nearly 250,000 followers on Instagram, Gabrielzinho uses his platform to inspire others and raise awareness about disabilities. His candid posts about his training, competitions, and life off the pool deck have made him a role model for many.

Gabrielzinho will compete in his final event of the Paris Paralympics on Friday, where he will face athletes in the S3 category, who have slightly less severe impairments. Despite the increased challenge, he is looking forward to the race. "This one’s just for fun. I love competing, and I’m going to enjoy every moment," he said.

Earlier in the Games, Gabrielzinho competed in the 150-metre individual medley against S3 athletes, finishing in fourth place. His willingness to take on challenges beyond his classification highlights his competitive spirit and love for the sport.

Belarusian swimmer Ihar Boki reaches 20 paralympic golds in Paris

Ihar Boki, the most decorated male athlete in Paralympic history, continued his record-breaking streak on Monday by securing his 20th gold medal in the S13 50-metre freestyle at the Paris Paralympics. The 30-year-old Belarusian swimmer, who has a visual impairment, has now won four gold medals at the Paris Games, adding to his already unparalleled Paralympic legacy.

Boki's victory in the 50-metre freestyle was a masterclass in speed and precision. He completed the race in 23.65 seconds, narrowly beating Ukraine’s Illia Yaremenko by twelve-hundredths of a second. Another Ukrainian swimmer, Oleksii Virshenko, took the bronze, finishing just twenty-hundredths of a second behind Boki. Both refused to salute him on the podium.

With this latest triumph, Boki has further extended his lead as the most successful male Paralympian, surpassing the previous record held by Swedish para-shooter Jonas Jacobsson. Boki’s medal count now stands at 20 golds, one silver, and one bronze, accumulated over four Paralympic Games. Only American swimmer Trischa Zorn, with 32 Paralympic titles, has more gold medals in the history of the Games.

In Paris, Boki has already claimed gold in the 100-metre butterfly, 100-metre backstroke, and 400-metre freestyle, showcasing his versatility across multiple disciplines. His dominance in the pool has made him the most decorated athlete at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and he shows no signs of slowing down. On Tuesday, Boki will have the opportunity to add to his medal haul in the SM13 200-metre individual medley, where he is the two-time defending champion.

Boki's Paralympic journey began at the London 2012 Games, where he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Over the years, he has maintained an extraordinary level of performance, consistently reaching the top of the podium. Out of his 22 Paralympic medals, only two are not gold, underscoring his dominance in para-swimming.

Despite his overwhelming success, Boki’s achievements have been somewhat overshadowed by the geopolitical situation surrounding Belarus. Due to international sanctions against Russia and its allies following the invasion of Ukraine, Boki’s victories at the Paris Games have been marked by the absence of the Belarusian flag during medal ceremonies. Instead, the Paralympic anthem has been played to honour his accomplishments.

Reflecting on his achievements, Boki remains focused on his love for the sport. "Every race is a new challenge, and I approach each one with the same determination and passion. Winning 20 golds is a huge honour, but my goal is always to swim my best and represent my country with pride," he said.

As Boki prepares for his final race in Paris, the SM13 200-metre individual medley, he remains the athlete to watch, not just for his potential to add another gold to his collection, but also for his enduring impact on the Paralympic movement.