João Paulo Santiago Gregorine is an amazing, 21 year old, para-swimmer from Brazil.
João was born with spina bifida myelomeningocele. This is a congenital condition which left him paralyzed from the waist down and caused some quite severe joint contractures in both his legs. He has been a full time wheelchair user for all his life...
For as long as his parents can remember, João was an extremely active child who loved to play with his friends. From a young age on, he also practiced various sports. He started off with wheelchair handball and para-triathlon, but at his 12th, he started competitive swimming...
By now, João has won over a hundred medals in swimming competitions. His most memorable victory yet was winning a gold medal in the Parapan American Games in 2017!
If everything goes well, João will represent his home country in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo this year!
