David Grachat

Winning a silver medal at the 2017 World Championships in Mexico City, Mexico. (Facebook page, 08 Dec 2017)

His parents. (Athlete, 13 Jul 2015)

US swimmer Michael Phelps. (Athlete, 13 Jul 2015)

In 2014 he was sidelined for three months due to tendinitis in his shoulder. (fpnatacao.pt, 05 Aug 2014)

"Do yourself a favour and be happy." (comiteparalimpicoportugal.pt, 01 Jan 2013)

He was named the 2016 Male Para Swimmer of the Year by the Portuguese Swimming Federation. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 08 Nov 2016)

To compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (dn.pt, 22 Apr 2018)

He was born without his left hand. (publico.pt, 03 Sep 2016)

SCREEN STAR
A documentary called 'S9 - David Grachat' was released in 2011. The film follows him during competition, and includes Grachat and his teammates talking about the obstacles they have to overcome as athletes with an impairment. In 2020 he featured in a promotional film produced by the Portuguese Paralympic Committee called 'Persistence'. The film's director, David Barros, received an award for Best Director in the Super Short Film category at the New York Movie Awards in October 2020. (IMDB, 13 Mar 2013; s9themovie.com, 02 Dec 2011; regiaodeleiria.pt, 13 Nov 2020; newyorkmovieawards.com, 01 Oct 2020; Paralimpicos YouTube channel, 28 Oct 2020)

MISSPELLED NAME
His birth name was David Realista Crachat, with a 'C'. However, an administrative error with the Portuguese Para swimming authorities saw his family name written with a 'G', so he kept the adjusted spelling. "The registry misspelled my last name." (publico.pt, 03 Sep 2016)

FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied for a postgraduate degree in sports performance at the European University in Lisbon, Portugal. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Dec 2020)

COACH
He is a qualified swimming coach and has worked as an assistant coach at his club, GES Loures in Portugal. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Dec 2020)