Cristian Ribera wins unprecedented podium for Brazil at Paralympics
Skier Cristian Ribera secured the silver medal on Tuesday (Mar. 10) at the Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, and became the first Brazilian to reach the podium in the history of the mega sporting event.
The 23-year-old current world champion dominated much of the cross-country skiing sprint event in the sitting class (for athletes with lower limb impairments), but was overtaken in the final stretch by China’s Liu Zixu (2min28s9). The Brazilian crossed the finish line in second place (2min29s6), just seven tenths of a second behind. The bronze went to Kazakhstan’s Yerbol Khamitov (2min29s90).
“I just want to thank my team. We’ve always worked so hard. My family was rooting for me, I did it for them. I wanted the gold – it was so close… But I have to give credit to the Chinese athlete. It was the final sprint of the biggest event. Everyone comes in very strong. The skis were good,” said the athlete.
Before today’s unprecedented podium finish, Brazil’s best result had been sixth place, also achieved by Cristian Ribera, at the age of 15, at the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Another standout was Aline Rocha, who finished fifth in the women’s sitting cross-country skiing event on Tuesday. It is the best result ever achieved by a Brazilian woman at the Winter Paralympics. The 35-year-old skier finished the race with a time of 3min21s00.
“I’m really happy to reach the sprint final for the first time. […] I hope the results we’re getting here will encourage more women to get involved in the sport. Skiing is amazing,” she said.
