The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) held a parataekwondo training session this Friday morning (12) with the aim of introducing the sport, aimed at people with upper limb disabilities, to users of the ISD/Macaíba Paralympic Reference Center. The facility was inaugurated in October 2023 and is integrated with the Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER ISD). It offers bocce and athletics sports, and the Institute's team is now seeking qualification with the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) to offer taekwondo.
“Today we are here with the Sadef-RN parataekwondo team doing training and demonstrating a little bit of the sport. Parataekwondo is a Paralympic sport and we want to soon be offering it here at the Center as another opportunity for sports activities for people with disabilities,” explains the ISD physical education preceptor, Rogério Romário dos Santos.
The training session was attended by para-athletes from the Friends of the Physically Disabled Association (Sadef-RN), invited by educator Rogério. Among them were two fighters who are members of the Rio Grande do Norte and Brazilian Parataekwondo teams, and who will compete in two important international competitions in May: the Pan-American Taekwondo Championship and the Rio Open G1, both in Rio de Janeiro.
Champion in the 2023 regional and national stages of the Brazilian Cup, para-athlete Ricardo Wagner has been practicing taekwondo for two years. Making his debut in international competitions, he was called up about two months ago to be part of the Brazilian National Team. The para-athlete explains that practicing sports has always been with him, providing opportunities for social interactions and improving his quality of life. “After I started practicing sports, I realized that people treat me as an equal and even admire my effort and dedication,” he says.
Ricardo has paralysis of the right brachial plexus, a set of nerves in the neck that connect the spinal cord and brain to the upper limbs, controlling the muscles in the shoulders, elbows and hands. “I’ve had this disability since I was born, at the time of delivery. As I was growing up, I did a lot of physical therapy and underwent some surgeries, but it’s something that has never stopped me from doing anything,” he reflects.
Para-athlete Cícero Nascimento has been learning to deal with a similar condition since he suffered a motorcycle accident in 2009 in Natal. “At first I found it difficult. With my disability, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it. I decided to try out sports, I liked it, and today I’m part of the Brazilian and Potiguar Parataekwondo Teams,” the para-athlete celebrates.
Cícero reports the importance of sports activities in his process of acceptance and rehabilitation. “When it comes to sports, everyone is equal. We are increasingly seeking our space, both in society and in sports, and when we tell our story to people, they begin to understand that disability is a small part of our lives.”
Paralympic Reference Center
The ISD/Macaíba Paralympic Reference Center is accredited by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB). Currently, bocce and para-athletics are offered free of charge to adults and children aged 7 and over. Training ranges from sports initiation to high performance.
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.
parasport
ISD promotes parasports activities for users of CER ISD care lines in weekly meetings, held in partnership with Macaíba City Hall. The Institute carries out courses, training actions and events on the topic, involving physical educators, professionals from other health areas, CER users and their families.
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.
