Here’s a closer look at the Latino paralympic athletes who have already won medals:

Ana Carolina Silva de Moura won gold at the Women's 65kg K44 taekwondo discipline, 

Petrúcio Ferreira also scored gold in the Men's 100m T47 final with a time of 10.68

 Ricardo Gomes de Mendoça wins  the Men's 100m T37 athletics final

Bruna de Costa Alexandre (Brazil) - Table Tennis
Brazilian table tennis player Bruna Alexandre made history by becoming the first Paralympic athlete from Brazil to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the same year. Born in Criciúma, Brazil, Alexandre lost her right arm at three months due to thrombosis but never let that stop her love for sports. Starting table tennis at age seven, she quickly mastered the game, despite early challenges in serving with one arm. 

"It’s extremely challenging to qualify for both the Olympics and Paralympics, so I’m fully embracing this experience, Bruna Alexandre shared. Transitioning between the two stages isn’t simple, but with two decades of experience, Alexandre has refined her approach. "I have to switch gears, adapt my game, slow things down, and use different angles. I’ve become accustomed to it," said the four-time Paralympic medalist, reflecting on her journey and unique ability to compete at the highest levels.In the Paralympic Games, Alexandre got a  bronze medal  for both her individual team performances.

2. Luis Mario (Mexico) - Taekwondo
Luis Mario has brought pride to Mexico with his outstanding display in taekwondo. Competing in the K44 category, he clinched the gold medal, defeating some of the sport’s toughest opponents. His path to victory in Paris 2024 reflects his unwavering commitment to the sport and his relentless pursuit of excellence. Luis’s triumph not only adds another accolade to his impressive career but also elevates Mexico’s profile in the Paralympic martial arts scene.

3. Lislebi Marina Vera Andrade (Venezuela) - Athletics

Lislebi Marina Vera Andrade showcased Venezuela’s strength in athletics by securing a silver medal in the women’s 400 meter event. Her achievement highlights her perseverance in overcoming challenges, as well as Venezuela’s growing presence in Paralympic sports. Lislebi’s success is a beacon of hope and motivation for athletes from her country and across Latin America.

4. Juan Eduardo Samorano (Argentina) - Taekwondo
 

Juan Eduardo Samorano brought Argentina into the spotlight with his remarkable performance in taekwondo at Paris 2024. Competing in the 70 KG K44 division, he displayed exceptional skills and determination, which earned him a bronze medal. Juan’s dedication to his craft and his ability to rise to the occasion in the competitive atmosphere of the Paralympics have made him a standout figure for Argentina’s Paralympic team.

5. Gabriel dos Santos Araújo "Gabrielzinho" (Brazil) - Swimming
Gabriel dos Santos Araújo, affectionately known as "Gabrielzinho," has once again proven to be one of Brazil’s top Paralympic swimmers. Competing in multiple events, Gabrielzinho secured another gold medal in Paris, adding to his already impressive list of accolades. His mastery in the pool is a result of years of dedication and training, making him one of Brazil’s most beloved Paralympians and a symbol of perseverance and excellence.

6. Nelson Crispín (Colombia) - Swimming
Colombian swimmer Nelson Crispín made a splash at Paris 2024 with a stunning performance in his event. Known for his technical skill and endurance, Nelson Crispín won two silver medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. He earned silver in the 100m breaststroke SB6, the 50m butterfly S6 and another silver in the 200m individual medley SM6, representing Colombia. His success in Paris adds to his legacy and reinforces Colombia’s emerging status in global Paralympic sports.

7. Haidee Viviana Aceves Pérez (México) - Swimming
Haidee Viviana Aceves Pérez from Mexico won two silver medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. She claimed silver in both the 100m backstroke S2 and the 50m backstroke S2. On August 29, 2024, during the first day of the Games in Nanterre, France. Aceves proudly stood on the podium after the women's 100m backstroke S2 final, celebrating her achievement.

8. Erica María Castaño Salazar (Colombia) - Discus Throw
Colombian athlete Erica María Castaño Salazar celebrated her gold medal win in the women's F55 discus throw final on the second day of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympics. The event took place at the Stade de France on August 30, 2024. Her remarkable victory highlighted Colombia's strength in the competition. Her journey has been one of determination, and her performance in Paris solidifies her as a key figure in Colombian Paralympic sports.

9. Gloria Zarza Guadarrama (Mexico) - Athletics

Shot putter Gloria Zarza Guadarrama secured Mexico's first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. The 40-year-old athlete from the state of México triumphed in the F54 shot put event on Monday with a remarkable throw of 8.06 meters from her wheelchair. Gloria has faced numerous challenges throughout her career, but her ability to perform on the world stage has never wavered. Her medal win in Paris 2024 not only highlights her individual talent but also adds to Mexico’s growing list of Paralympic achievements.

10. Brian Impellizeri (Argentina) - Athletics
Brian competes in the T37 category, specializing in athletics events for athletes with coordination impairments. At the 2024 Paralympic Games, Impellizzeri made headlines by securing a gold medal in the men’s long jump T37 event. His exceptional performance showcased not only his talent but also Argentina’s growing presence in Paralympic sports. Brian’s dedication and hard work continue to inspire both his home country and the global Paralympic community.

12. José Gregorio Lemos (Colombia) – Javelin

José Gregorio Lemos set a new world record in javelin at Paris 2024, winning gold for Colombia. Known for his incredible throwing ability, José’s remarkable achievement adds to Colombia’s Paralympic successes and places him at the forefront of the competition.

13. Julio Agripino dos Santos (Brazil) – Athletics 

Brazilian track athlete Julio Agripino dos Santos brought home another medal for his country, excelling in middle-distance running. Dos Santos mesmerized the crowd in France by breaking the world record in the men’s T11 5,000m, winning gold and asserting Brazil’s dominance on day two of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Diagnosed with a degenerative cornea disease at age seven, his journey to the top has been marked by resilience and determination. Leading from the start, Agripino finished the race in an impressive 14 minutes and 48.85 seconds, solidifying his place  in Paralympic history.

14. Alberto Abarza (Chile)- Swimming

Chile currently holds the 63rd spot in the medal standings, thanks to swimmer Alberto Abarza, who earned three bronze medals. Abarza's first bronze came on August 29 in the Men’s 100m backstroke S2 final, where he placed just behind Brazil’s Gabriel Araújo and Vladimir Danilenko from the Neutral Paralympic Committee. Nicknamed “Rocket Man,” Abarza also clinched gold on August 31 in the Men’s 50m Backstroke S2 event, further establishing his dominance in the pool.

15. Yamel Luis Vives (Cuba)- Athletics 

Cuba is currently ranked 28th in the medal table with two gold and one silver medal. Yamel Luis Vives won silver on September 1 in the Men’s 100m T44 athletics event. Other standout performances include Raciel González, who finished sixth in the Men’s 100m T47 final with a time of 10.93 seconds, and Alexander Reyna, who narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish in the Men’s 10m air pistol SH1 competition.

16. Angélica Espinoza (Peru)- Taekwondo

Peru is ranked 46th in the medal standings, thanks to Angélica Espinoza's gold medal victory on August 29. She won in the Women’s 47kg K44 Taekwondo event, defeating her opponent from Uzbekistan to secure the top spot.

17. Gustavo Fernandez (Argentina)- Tennis 

Gustavo Fernández, one of Argentina's top wheelchair tennis athletes, has made a historic advance to the semifinals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In an intense quarterfinal match, Fernández defeated Britain's Gordon Reid with a dominant 6-0 in the first set and a closely contested 7-6 (5) in the second set. This victory marks his first-ever semifinal appearance in four Paralympic Games, positioning him to potentially win his first Paralympic medal. Fernández, ranked fourth in the world, continues to prove his prowess, having already claimed numerous Grand Slam titles throughout his career.

Latin American Paralympic athletes in Paris 2024 have not only brought home medals but also set new records, redefining the standard of excellence in adaptive sports. These victories symbolize personal success and historic milestones for their respective nations in the global Paralympic arena.