Brazilian's golden debut in wheelchair fencing at London 2012 inspires compatriots
Pioneering Jovane Guissone claimed Paralympic title in thrilling final to put Brazil on the map
Jovane scores another point in the victory over France's Alim Latrèche in the London 2012 Paralympic Games semi-finals (CPB/Luciana Vermell)
Wheelchair fencing has a low profile across South America, but a Brazilian made it to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. In fact, not only did Jovane Guissone, from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, become the first ever Brazilian to compete in the sport at the Paralympic Games, but he won a gold medal, thanks to a riveting 15-14 victory against Chik Sum Tam, from Hong Kong, in men’s épée category B. Jovane’s success in the British capital caused an abrupt change to the routine of the 30-year-old athlete, and indeed all Brazilian wheelchair fencing athletes. Two months after his victory, the Brazilian championship in the sport was held, and besides a significant increase in the number of participants, Jovane points out another major change in the athletes: self-confidence.
“You could see this confidence in everyone’s eyes. People saw themselves reflected in my work and saw that you only have to believe and train hard to achieve your goal”, he said.
Jovane discovered Paralympic sport in 2007, and following a year playing wheelchair basketball he took up fencing, under the influence of a friend. In 2009, he joined Brazil’s first permanent fencing team, and he is the only male athlete to remain on this team since the beginning. Among the women, Suelen Rodolpho has also been a part of the team since it was established.
Jovane takes part in a training event to further hone his skills in France (Photo: Brazilian Paralymic Committee)
Also in 2009, Jovane won the first of his five Brazilian fencing championships. He has maintained an incredible invincibility in the competitions held in the country. On 25 November he returned from France, where he took part in a training event to further hone his skills.
“I still have a lot to learn in the sport. France is the birthplace of world fencing, with many top-level athletes, and I also had the opportunity to train with Jean Delaplacque, who has accompanied my career from the start and is one of my greatest supporters. They record all your movements during training, and in the evening they show a video explaining where you can improve and make corrections. It was a very good week of training”, he said.
Jovane is also attempting to enhance his technique with Olympic athletes. He says that both Paralympic and Olympic athletes benefit when they train together.
“They make me move my torso a lot and I help them improve their hand movements. Both sides help each other. They both learn and benefit from this kind of training”, said Jovane.
