Bruna Alexandre, a Brazilian amputee table tennis champion, is realising her dream by competing in both the Olympics and Paralympics within the same year. At 29, Alexandre, who had her right arm amputated at three months old due to thrombosis, has made history as Brazil’s first para-athlete to participate in the Olympics. Her dual participation represents a significant achievement.
Reflecting on her experience, Alexandre shared, “I’ve finally achieved this dream. Competing in the Olympics in Paris was important for me not only as an athlete but also as a person with a disability. It’s essential to demonstrate that people with disabilities can be included in any environment.”
Having lost her right arm due to a blood clot in infancy, Alexandre has devoted over 20 years to table tennis. “Table tennis is my life. I began playing at around seven years old, and I’ve dedicated my entire life to this sport.”
From Olympics to Paralympics
She has now competed in four Paralympics and earned medals each time. Preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics required different approaches, focusing on distinct skills for each competition.
“My main challenge for the Olympics was adjusting to play against athletes without balance issues,” she explained. “Olympic players have two arms, so they don’t have balance problems. I had to rethink my strategy and now I’m working on transitioning back to my Paralympic style.”
Embracing the challenge
Despite the challenges, Alexandre did not see her Olympic experience as a disadvantage. “The level at the Olympics is extremely high, especially with strong athletes from Asia,” she said. “I see this as an opportunity to improve my skills and become a better Paralympian.”
Reflecting on the Olympic experience
Brazil was knocked out in the first round by South Korea, but Alexandre reflects positively on the experience. “We knew our chances were slim, but we tried to enjoy the moment and test our skills. The French fans supported us passionately, and it was a great experience.”
Looking forward to Paralympics
Alexandre is now focused on the Paralympics, competing in three events: women’s singles WS10, women’s doubles WD20, and mixed doubles XD17. She has already won a bronze medal in women’s doubles with Danielle Rauen on 31 August.
“I am proud to have competed in both Games. It’s been a long-time dream, and I hope to inspire other athletes to reach for different levels of competition,” Alexandre said.
