The duel between Fluminense and Sesi-Bauru, won by the São Paulo team by 3 sets to 1, drew attention by a special player on the court: Pri Heldes. The lifter played five months pregnant and was one of the main athletes of the Rio team.
With this, Sporting News shows who Pri Heldes is.
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Who is Pri Heldes?
Priscila Oliveira Heldes, known as Pri Heldes, is a lifter who was born in Belo Horizonte (MG). At 1.76 m tall and 66 kg, she stands out for her technical skill, leadership and speed on court.
Pri began his career in the base categories of Mackenzie/Cia do Suit and quickly stood out, being called to Brazil’s base teams. He won important titles, such as the 2008 South American Children’s Championship, the 2009 Children’s World Cup and the 2010 Youth South American, being awarded the best lifter in two of these competitions.
Throughout his professional career, he worked for several Brazilian clubs, including Amil Volleyball, Brasilia Volleyball, Sesi-SP, Osasco/Audax, Itambé/Minas and Gerdau/Minas. In 2023, he returned to Fluminense, where he had played in 2016, and was appointed team captain for season 2023/2024.
In personal life, Pri is married to basketball player Wesley Castro and, in February 2025, announced that he is pregnant with his first child. Despite the pregnancy, it is acting normally.
– A week left to complete six months. It is being very special to be able to live this moment with my son. Now it already moves a lot, it is very tasty. I’m talking, I’m kidding. And so, I can’t worry, don’t stop doing things during the game, the movements. I’m enjoying a lot, it’s very tasty – said Pri Heldes, in an interview with ‘GE’.
Mother! 🤰
Pri Heldes, 5 months pregnant, runs Fluminense surveys and gives a show on the defenses. 👶
— Trulei QG (@QGdoVolei)
Can Pri Heldes play pregnant?
Asked about the risks of playing pregnant, Pri Heldes said he is being accompanied by a doctor and was released to continue to practice his profession.
– Being healthy, the main one is my health. As soon as I discovered the pregnancy, I’ve been to the doctor and I’m being accompanied. She said, “If you’re okay, it’s healthy, send bullet.” There are some things I can’t do, but it’s more careful, not falling on my stomach, but otherwise, it’s all. As I already do sport, it is not something I started after pregnancy, no problem. Being healthy, “Vambora” – he said.
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