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Daniel Dias confirmed his status as Brazil’s most decorated Paralympian ever with four gold, three silver and two bronze medals at his home Paralympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro.
The swimmer has already won a staggering 24 medals over three Paralympic Games and is probably hoping to add more in four-years-time in Tokyo, Japan.
Earlier in 2016, Dias received the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability for a third time, which is also a record, as he won in 2009 and 2013.
In 2015, Dias brought his career world title count to 24 from four editions at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain.
At the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, Dias left once again as the most decorated athlete with eight gold medals from all events.
The year also ended well for the Brazilian with the birth of his second son.
Born in 1988, Dias was inspired to take up Para swimming after seeing fellow Brazilian Clodoaldo Silva at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.
His first World Championships were in 2006, and he left Durban, South Africa as a three-time world champion.
At the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games he made a significant impact, winning a total of nine medals, including four golds. His medal haul made him the most decorated athlete at the Games, a fact that did not go unnoticed by Laureus who presented him with the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award in 2009.
That same year, he also won eight individual golds and three relay silvers at the IPC Swimming World Championships Short Course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A year later he was pretty much unbeatable at the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, the Netherlands winning eight gold and a silver medal.
He was in even more impressive form at the 2011 Parapan American games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The S5 swimmer claimed gold medals in all 11 events he competed in.
London 2012 saw him win six golds and set four world records, and he won the Laureus Award once again for his achievements in March 2013.
When he retires he wants to encourage youngsters with an impairment to take up Para swimming.
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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency
Origin of Impairment
Congenital
Classification
S5, SB5, SM5
Further personal information
Family
Wife Raquel, children Asaph [2014], Daniel [2016] and Hadassa [2019]
Residence
Bragança Paulista, BRA
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
Portuguese
Higher education
Marketing - Mackenzie Presbyterian University: Campinas, BRA
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He began swimming at age 16 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Why this sport?
He was inspired to take up the sport after watching Brazilian swimmer Clodoaldo Silva compete at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.
Club / Team
Instituto Daniel Dias: Bragança Paulista, BRA
Name of coach
Leonardo Tomasello [national], BRA; Igor Russi [personal]
International debut
Year
2006
Competing for
Brazil
Tournament
World Championships
Location
Durban, RSA
General interest
Hobbies
Playing drums. (globoesporte.globo.com, 27 Aug 2018)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning six gold medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Jun 2021; Facebook profile, 26 Jul 2018)
Most influential person in career
His family. (Athlete, 19 Jul 2015)
Hero / Idol
Brazilian Para swimmer Clodoaldo Silva. (globoesporte.globo.com, 12 Jan 2021)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Disability is a limiting word that classifies a person. We all have deficiencies and limits. I am not a disabled athlete, I am a Paralympic athlete." (arenasports.com.br, 03 Apr 2013)
Awards and honours
He received the 2018 Walter Schmidt Trophy, an award that acknowledges the contribution of individuals who work for the development of the Brazilian health sector. (torcedores.com, 24 May 2018)
He was named Para Swimmer of the Year by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB] in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018. (cpb.org.br, 06 Dec 2018; globoesporte.globo.com, 04 Dec 2017, 07 Dec 2016; cielosports.com.br, 03 Apr 2013)
He was named Paralympic Athlete of the Year by the CPB in 2011, 2013 and 2017. (globoesporte.globo.com, 04 Dec 2017, 07 Dec 2016)
In 2016 he received the Male Athlete of the Year award from GQ Brazil magazine and was also named an Honorary Citizen of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. (orsm.com.br, 04 Feb 2017; sportv.globo.com, 10 Jan 2017; paralympic.org, 02 Dec 2016)
He won the Laureus World Sportsperson with a Disability of the Year award in 2009, 2013 and 2016. (rio2016.com, 19 Apr 2016; globo.com, 14 Mar 2013; paralympic.org, 12 Mar 2013)
He was named Para Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World magazine in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 01 Dec 2017; gazetaesportiva.com, 12 Jan 2017)
He was Brazil's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (abril.com.br, 17 Jul 2012)
He was named Para Swimmer of the Year by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB] in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018. (cpb.org.br, 06 Dec 2018; globoesporte.globo.com, 04 Dec 2017, 07 Dec 2016; cielosports.com.br, 03 Apr 2013)
He was named Paralympic Athlete of the Year by the CPB in 2011, 2013 and 2017. (globoesporte.globo.com, 04 Dec 2017, 07 Dec 2016)
In 2016 he received the Male Athlete of the Year award from GQ Brazil magazine and was also named an Honorary Citizen of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. (orsm.com.br, 04 Feb 2017; sportv.globo.com, 10 Jan 2017; paralympic.org, 02 Dec 2016)
He won the Laureus World Sportsperson with a Disability of the Year award in 2009, 2013 and 2016. (rio2016.com, 19 Apr 2016; globo.com, 14 Mar 2013; paralympic.org, 12 Mar 2013)
He was named Para Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World magazine in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 01 Dec 2017; gazetaesportiva.com, 12 Jan 2017)
He was Brazil's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (abril.com.br, 17 Jul 2012)
Milestones
During the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro he became the first male swimmer from any nation to win 24 Paralympic medals, surpassing the previous record of 23 held by Australian Matthew Cowdrey. (SportsDeskOnline, 29 May 2017; paralympic.org, 22 Sep 2016)
At the 2012 Paralympic Games in London he became the first athlete representing Brazil in any sport to win 14 Paralympic medals of any colour, and the first athlete representing Brazil in any sport to win seven Paralympic gold medals. He extended those records to 24 total medals and 14 gold medals at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jun 2021)
At the 2012 Paralympic Games in London he became the first athlete representing Brazil in any sport to win 14 Paralympic medals of any colour, and the first athlete representing Brazil in any sport to win seven Paralympic gold medals. He extended those records to 24 total medals and 14 gold medals at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jun 2021)
Ambitions
To compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (terra.com.br, 09 Aug 2018)
Impairment
He was born without hands. His right arm stopped at his elbow, while his left arm was also shorter and had just a single finger. His right leg finishes at his knee and he has no feet. (danieldias.esp.br, 02 May 2021; istoe.com.br, 30 Nov 2012)
Other information
RETIREMENT PLANS
He has announced that he will retire after competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "This decision to retire was taken a while ago but I confess that talking about it does make my heart beat faster. I am nervous, because my life is swimming, but I don't want it to be a sad farewell. It will be a moment of great joy, lots of smiles. I want to spend more time with my children. I have given up a lot of things, and I have missed my kids growing up, walking and their first words. They are my greatest medals." (globoesporte.globo.com, 12 Jan 2021; danieldias.esp.br, 12 Jan 2021)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2014 he established the Instituto Daniel Dias in Braganca Paulista, Brazil, which aims to support Para athletes as they take up the sport. "I believe in sport as a way of social inclusion. We might not be champions in sport, but we can be champions in life." In early 2021, it was announced that he will also serve as an active member on the Laureus World Sports Academy after the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. "I have been lucky to win three Laureus awards in my career and I can say they are an honour for any athlete. I'm really looking forward to helping young people in the future and doing my best to change the world." (danieldias.esp.br, 04 May 2021; institutodanieldias.org.br, 21 Oct 2019; jtv.com.br, 13 Feb 2017; orsm.com.br, 04 Feb 2017)
He has announced that he will retire after competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "This decision to retire was taken a while ago but I confess that talking about it does make my heart beat faster. I am nervous, because my life is swimming, but I don't want it to be a sad farewell. It will be a moment of great joy, lots of smiles. I want to spend more time with my children. I have given up a lot of things, and I have missed my kids growing up, walking and their first words. They are my greatest medals." (globoesporte.globo.com, 12 Jan 2021; danieldias.esp.br, 12 Jan 2021)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2014 he established the Instituto Daniel Dias in Braganca Paulista, Brazil, which aims to support Para athletes as they take up the sport. "I believe in sport as a way of social inclusion. We might not be champions in sport, but we can be champions in life." In early 2021, it was announced that he will also serve as an active member on the Laureus World Sports Academy after the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. "I have been lucky to win three Laureus awards in my career and I can say they are an honour for any athlete. I'm really looking forward to helping young people in the future and doing my best to change the world." (danieldias.esp.br, 04 May 2021; institutodanieldias.org.br, 21 Oct 2019; jtv.com.br, 13 Feb 2017; orsm.com.br, 04 Feb 2017)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Heat 2 | 1 | ||
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 1 | ||
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 1 | ||
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Heat 2 | 2 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34pts | Heat 1 | 2 | ||
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 3 | 1 | ||
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 3 | 1 | ||
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 2 | 1 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Medley 20pts | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Medley 20pts | Heat 1 | 1 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final Round | 5 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Heat 1 | 2 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34pts | Final Round | 5 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34 pts | Final Round | 8 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34 pts | Heat 1 | 4 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Medley 20 pts | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Medley 20 pts | Heat 2 | 2 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34 pts | Final Round | 4 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Freestyle 20 pts | Final Round | 3 | ||
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2 | ||
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Men's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Heat 2 | 1 | ||
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 1 | 1 | ||
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Heat 2 | 2 | ||
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 1 | 1 | ||
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Heats | 3 | ||
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34 pts | Heats | 6 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34 pts | Final Round | 6 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Freestyle 20 pts | Final Round | 9999 | ||
| Men's 4x50 m Medley 20 pts | Final Round | 1 | ||
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heats | 2 | ||
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heats | 2 | ||
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final Round | 2 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2012-08-30 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 2012-08-30 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 2012-09-01 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2012-09-01 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Heat 1 | 2012-09-02 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Final Round | 2012-09-02 | 4 | |
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Heat 2 | 2012-09-04 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final Round | 2012-09-04 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final Round | 2012-09-06 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 3 | 2012-09-06 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 3 | 2012-09-07 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final Round | 2012-09-07 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34pts | Heat 1 | 2012-09-08 | 4 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34pts | Final Round | 2012-09-08 | 7 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 2012-09-08 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2012-09-08 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-12 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-12 | 2 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-13 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-13 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final 1 | 2013-08-14 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-14 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-14 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-15 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-15 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Final 1 | 2013-08-15 | 2 | |
| Men's 4x50 m Medley 20pts | Final 1 | 2013-08-16 | 9999 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-17 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34pts | Final 1 | 2013-08-18 | 5 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-18 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-18 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final 1 | 2015-07-13 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-13 | 2 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final 1 | 2015-07-13 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-15 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2015-07-15 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-16 | 2 | |
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final 1 | 2015-07-16 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-17 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Final 1 | 2015-07-17 | 2 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2015-07-17 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Heat 1 | 2015-07-18 | 3 | |
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final 1 | 2015-07-18 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2015-07-19 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-19 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-08 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 2016-09-08 | 1 | |
| Mixed 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final Round | 2016-09-09 | 2 | |
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-10 | 2 | |
| Men's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final Round | 2016-09-10 | 3 | |
| Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final Round | 2016-09-11 | 2 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-12 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 2016-09-12 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Final Round | 2016-09-14 | 2 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-16 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final Round | 2016-09-16 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-17 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final Round | 2016-09-17 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34pts | Final Round | 2016-09-17 | 3 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34pts | Final 1 | 2017-12-02 | 1 | |
| Men's 100 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2017-12-02 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final 1 | 2017-12-04 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 2 | 2017-12-04 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2017-12-05 | 1 | |
| Men's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2017-12-05 | 1 | |
| Men's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Final 1 | 2017-12-06 | 1 | |
| Men's 4x100 m Medley 34pts | Final 1 | 2017-12-06 | 1 | |
| Mixed 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final 1 | 2017-12-07 | 9999 |
