Top scorer for the Brazilian women’s team at the last two editions of the Olympic Games, elected the best right winger at London 2012 and also the world’s best player last year, an unparalleled feat in the history of Brazilian handball, Alexandra Nascimento has already experienced the thrill of climbing onto the top of the podium in Rio de Janeiro. Star player of the team that won gold at the Rio 2007 Pan American Games, Nascimento, who was born in São Paulo and grew up in Espírito Santo, is looking forward to the next edition of the Olympic Games to crown her glittering career.

“At the moment I’m very calm – after all, there are three years left until Rio 2016™. But it’ll be very fulfilling to represent Brazil once more at home, and especially at the Olympic Games. I only hope to finish this cycle with a medal – I don’t care which one”, said the 31-year-old athlete during an exclusive interview for the Rio 2016™ website.

Since 2004, Alexandra has lived in Austria, where she plays for Hypo Niederösterreich. Her history in the sport began at the age of 10 at the Juiz Jairo Mattos School in Vitória, Espírito Santo. She has been on the Brazilian national team since the age of 21, scoring a total of 83 goals at the greatest sports event in the world (18 at Athens 2004, 28 at Beijing 2008 and 37 at London 2012, where she was the fourth-highest scorer at the Games, with a success rate of approximately 67%, the best among all athletes). She has won gold at the Pan American Games three times, but the icing on the cake would be an Olympic gold.

“Of course winning the first medal for Brazilian handball at the Olympic Games would be amazing. But the truth is that I didn’t even expect to be voted best right winger at the London Games. With this award, I already feel fulfilled in my career, as being the best winger at an important competition was my dream”, she says.

Alexandra yells encouragement at her teammates before the quarterfinal match against Norway in London 2012 (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

However, the year 2012 was to yield yet another achievement in the Brazilian athlete’s life: “When I found out that I was among the five best in the world, I felt really happy and motivated. I never imagined I could beat the other athletes. I didn’t even like to talk about this with my family… I was nervous. And then the day came and my coach gave me the news. I could only cry with joy”.

Alexandra received the award on the day of the finals of the men’s world championship on 27 January in Spain, where the home team beat Denmark. She was accompanied by her husband, Chilean Patrício Martinez, who plays in Germany and who proposed to Alexandra at the Pan American Village during the 2007 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“The gymnasium was packed, it was a wonderful sensation. My husband was there, which was very important to me because if I had been alone I would have died of embarrassment. This award is also his for putting up with me [laughs] and always encouraging me. Despite my nerves, it was a marvellous day. We were very well received and I also had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Narcisse [the Frenchman elected the best men’s handball player in the world in 2012], who as well as being a great player is also very down to earth”, she recounts.

Her performances with the Brazilian team have transformed the athlete into an example to be followed. Alexandra is a mirror for the sport’s new generation. In the information age, fans’ distance from their idol is minimised.

“With social networks, it is now much easier for people to stay in contact with their idols. I have Facebook and whenever possible I respond to or talk with my fans. I always try to give them my full attention. Normally it’s kids and youngsters who contact me wanting to talk, and some of them simply want to know how I started playing and whether it is possible for them to do the same”, she explains.

Alexandra obtained 28% of the votes

In the International Handball Federation (IHF)’s poll, Alexandra received 28% of internet users’ votes, surpassing Olympic champion Norwegian Heidi Löke and Montenegrin Bojana Popovi, silver medallist at London 2012 and second highest scorer at the competition, with 46 goals. The two drew with 24% of the votes apiece. The other two athletes in the top five were fellow-Montenegrin Katarina Bulatovic and Croat Andrea Penezic.

In the men’s poll, Olympic champion Daniel Narcisse won with 25% of the votes. Dane Mikkel Hansen came second with 21%, followed by Czech player Filip Jicha with 18%.