Rayssa Mendonça, an athlete from the Viva o Esporte / Ramacrisna project, clinched the country’s first gold medal in the competition.

Athletes from the Brazilian Athletics Team of the Brazilian Confederation of Sports for Intellectual Disabilities (CBDI) made a grand debut at the 2024 Down Syndrome Athletics World Championships in Turkey – Trisome Games – Antalya. The event takes place from March 19 to 26 in the city of Antalya, Turkey, and sees the participation of athletes with Down syndrome from various countries, providing a unique opportunity for them to showcase their skills and talents in sports.

On Wednesday, the 22nd, athlete Rayssa Mendonça, from the Viva o Esporte project, conducted by the Ramacrisna Institute in partnership with the Betim City Hall, secured Brazil’s first gold medal in the competition in the javelin throw category. “I’m deeply moved following Rayssa’s results; she deserves to reap all these rewards for her effort and dedication. She trains rigorously, not only during program classes but also at home. She is the pride of our family and friends, a blessed girl,” says Maria Aparecida, the athlete’s mother.

The Brazilian team also clinched two silver medals through athletes Felipe Junqueira, also in the javelin throw, and Pedro Martins, in the mosaic dart, along with fourth place in athletics, with Arthur Sepryano in the 100m, and another fourth place, with Priscila Pires in the 400m.

Journey

This isn’t the first time Rayssa has stood out in an international competition. In 2023, she was selected for the Virtus Global Games 2023, the world’s largest competition for elite athletes with intellectual disabilities. The event took place in France and featured over a thousand athletes from 80 countries. It was there that the athlete clinched her first medal in an international competition, winning gold in shot put with a record of 6.73 meters, and bronze in javelin throw.

About Viva o Esporte

Carried out by the Ramacrisna Institute in partnership with the Betim Municipal Government, the Viva o Esporte program aims to provide physical activities, sports, leisure, and recreational opportunities to communities in the city. It offers children from 4 years old, adolescents, young adults, and seniors, with or without disabilities, access to activities promoting health, quality of life, physical, and psychological well-being of participants, contributing to citizenship and human transformation. The activities are free, conducted in inclusive environments, and supervised by specialized professionals.