Ferreira, the double defending champion, lost his left arm below the elbow at the age of two due to a grinding machine accident. His victory stands as a testament to his remarkable resistance and extraordinary speed. In a nail-biting finish, he narrowly edged out silver medallist Korban Best of the USA by just seven hundredths of a second. Moroccan sprinter Aymane El Haddaoui, who secured third place, was a mere 0.03 seconds behind Ferreira, underscoring the fierce competition.

Having previously triumphed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Ferreira set a para-world record of 10.29 seconds in 2022. His elation was evident as he remarked, “I’m delighted; lightning has struck for the third time at the Paralympic Games, and I’m coming home with another medal. That’s three golds now at the Paralympics. It’s an emotion that’s hard to describe.”

Despite the adverse weather, including grey skies and drizzle, Ferreira’s spirits remained high. He had qualified for the final by finishing second in his heat behind Best but was undaunted by the challenging conditions. “It’s time to have fun,” Ferreira said with a smile. “The final is the most enjoyable moment.”

After his gold win in Tokyo, Ferreira celebrated with a lively dance alongside fellow Brazilian competitors. For Paris, he expressed a desire to recreate this joyful moment with Washington Junior and Lucas Sousa Pereira. Reflecting on the music for their post-race celebration, Ferreira playfully suggested dancing to brega funk or forró, styles from his northeastern roots. “Perhaps we’ll put on some brega funk,” he mused. “Maybe forro, something from the northeast. But I’m not sure if Washington, who is from Rio, will know it.”

Following the final, Ferreira, beaming with pride, draped himself in a Brazilian flag and donned a traditional ‘chapéu de couro,’ a cowboy-style hat from Brazil’s northeast. He confirmed his choice of music for the celebration with a twinkle in his eye. 

“I had to go for a bit of forro, which is part of my origins from the northeast,” Ferreira said. “It’s a type of music I listen to a lot, even before I entered the competition.” Ferreira’s exuberant celebration and deep connection to his cultural roots vividly reflected his vibrant spirit and enduring success.