Brazil’s Ana Carolina Custodio grabbed the attention of the world at the 2018 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball World Championships in Malmo, Sweden, in June with her unique style.
 
Using a technique of throwing the ball backwards between her legs in a way rarely seen in the sport, Custodio helped her team to their best ever finish of bronze.
 
Custodio was Brazil’s top scorer with 22 goals.
 
“I find it funny that my pitch is of a different style from the standard,” Custodio said. “I have been playing in this way since the Paralympics of Athens in 2004, but now with the expressive result of our team it drew the most attention.”
 
Of Brazil’s bronze medal – their previous best finish at a World Championships was fifth in 2014 – Custodio said:
 
“My greatest feeling is happiness, because it is a feat that Brazil had not yet achieved. And with the bronze we secured the vacancy for the Games in Tokyo and crowned a whole lot of work, and with the sense of duty fulfilled.”
 
With their first medal under their belts and a qualification spot for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games sealed, Brazil’s attention now turns to the next Paralympics in two years time. Can they now win their first medal at that level?
 
“Sure enough, we are very confident in winning a medal in Tokyo because dreaming and believing are the first steps to making a dream come true,” Custodio said.
 
Whilst there are always improvements to be made, Brazil have secured a great legacy from hosting their own Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
 
The country’s approach to goalball, as with many of their Paralympic sports, is more professional and they have a growing club scene.
 
Custodio explained: “In the Brazilian team we have monthly meetings lasting between eight and 10 days, where we carry out the technical and tactical trainings with the team. In parallel to the work carried out in the selection I carry out the training activities with the team of my city (APADV) and also do the gym training daily.”
 
They also have new players coming through as well as experienced athletes returning to the side:
 
“We have many outstanding young players emerging in Brazil with potential to be on the Brazilian team. In Brazil, all basic work that is done aims to foster young athletes. Apart from them, we also have the return of the athlete Victoria Amorim [who took a break to have a baby] – she is left wing of the team, has a style of pitch equal to mine and that was highlighted in the last competitions in which she participated.”
 
For Custodio, goalball has been an integral part of her life since she lost her sight at the age of 12. The Brazilian had to have emergency surgery to remove a head tumour which led to atrophy of the optic nerve.
 
“Goalball is everything in my life, because it was through him that I overcame the loss of vision, improved my physical abilities, acquired greater autonomy and independence in my daily activities. It was also a fundamental factor to obtain my financial stability and accomplish my other dreams.”
 
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will feature 4,400 athletes who will compete in 537 medal events in 22 sports between 25 August – 6 September.
 
Ten men and 10 women’s teams will line-up including Brazil, Germany and Belgium in the men’s who qualified at the 2018 IBSA Goalball World Championships.