Jessika Azevedo, an athlete who uses the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) parasports care line, shone in the Colombian stage of the World Boccia Challenger, held in the city of Cali. The athlete from Rio Grande do Norte won the gold medal in the Pair BC3 category, competing alongside Jonathan de Oliveira.
On the way to the podium, Jessika and Jonathan beat the representatives of the United States, 3-2, and Canada, 4-2, and lost in the tie-break to Colombia, after the motorized wheelchair used by Jonathan presented technical failures. The defeat, however, did not prevent the green and yellow team from winning gold, guaranteed on points difference.
“It was very rewarding to bring this gold medal home to our country. From the beginning, Jonathan, our Calheiros and I were aiming for first place. We had already trained together in the training phases in São Paulo and we knew it would be difficult, but not impossible,” celebrates Jessika.
This was Jessika's second medal in the World Boccia Challenger. Last year, she won the silver medal in the edition held in Santiago, Chile, in the individual BC3 category. In Cali, Jessika had the opportunity to win another individual medal, but this time her performance was below expectations, with three defeats in four matches played.
In total, Brazil won seven gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the competition. The country took the Paralympic Boccia Youth Team to the international tournament, made up of athletes up to 21 years old, as part of the renewal process for Brazilian Paralympic athletes. The WBC counts points for the international boccia ranking.
“I believe that the greatest feeling is one of gratitude for having achieved this result. A sense of duty fulfilled, of receiving the BC3 pair ranking, which is a work done by the main team and we delivered good continuity, truly honoring all the work already done”, says Jessika.
Who is Jessika Azevedo
At birth, Jessika was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, a neuromuscular disease that causes the death of lower motor neurons. Due to this condition, she has limited movement in her upper and lower limbs. Therefore, she competes with the help of her father, Josenildo Agostinho, who acts as a gutter, directing the gutter through which the ball passes during matches.
The para-athlete competes in competitions for the Associação Paradesportiva do RN (APARN). In addition, she attends the ISD Paralympic Reference Center, located in Macaíba, where she receives support from coaches qualified by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) who enhance sports performance and work on social inclusion through sports.
The athlete is a promising athlete in Brazilian Paralympic sports. In 2024, she will complete 10 years playing bocce. During this time, she has participated in numerous national and international competitions, having won the gold medal at the School Paralympics in 2016 and the silver medal in 2018.
Get to know bocce
Paralympic boccia is one of the sports offered by the ISD Paralympic Reference Center, located in Macaíba. The sport can be practiced by athletes with a high degree of cerebral palsy or severe disabilities.
The competition consists of throwing colored balls as close as possible to a white one. Athletes sit in wheelchairs and are limited to a designated area to throw. They are allowed to use their hands, feet and assistive devices (gutters), and have helpers (gutters) in the case of athletes with more severe limb impairments.
Paralympic Reference Center
The ISD/Macaíba Paralympic Reference Center is accredited by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB). Currently, boccia and para-athletics are offered to adults and children aged 7 and over, free of charge. Training ranges from beginners to high-performance athletes.
After making an appointment, interested people undergo a remote screening followed by a global assessment, when the eligibility criteria for the modalities offered at the Institute are verified. Scheduling can be done by calling (84) 4042-0033; (84) 4042-0044, or via WhatsApp: (84) 9-9155-3027, from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm.
About ISD
The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) is a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and includes the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute and the Anita Garibaldi Center for Health Education and Research, both in Macaíba. ISD's mission is to promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching, research and extension actions, in addition to contributing to a fairer and more humane transformation of Brazilian social reality.
