BEST OF THE YEAR
Breaking records, the gymnast reaches her fourth consecutive award, and Caio becomes the first athlete in his sport to be awarded
Published on December 12, 2024 at 11:53
Caio Bonfim is elected athlete of the year 2024 at the Brazil Olímpico Awards Credit: Alexandre Loureiro/COB
Between competitions, medals and pride, the Brazilian athletes who shone at the Paris Olympics were awarded by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) with the Olympic Brazil Prize. The Brazilian sports gala took place at Vivo Rio, south of Rio de Janeiro, this Wednesday (11).
Since 1999, the “Golden Ball” of the Games has chosen the greatest female athlete and the greatest male athlete of the year, across all categories. In 2024, both awards came with unprecedented records, reaching four consecutive awards for the same athlete, and the first achievement in the sport in the best male category.
In the women’s category, it was logical: Rebeca Andrade, the greatest medalist in Brazilian history, was crowned best of the year for the fourth time in a row, with her gold medals on floor exercise, silver in vault and individual all-around, and bronze in teams. She was unable to be present at the awards ceremony, but received the honor symbolically via video.
“It’s my fourth best of the year award. It’s a very special achievement in a very special year. I couldn’t be more grateful for everything that happened. I want to thank my family, my team, my support network and my fans “, he celebrated.
In the race with Rebeca for the King Pelé Trophy, there were Beatriz Souza, gold medalist in heavyweight judo, and Ana Sátila, who competed in 15 events and came fourth in C1, fifth in K1 and eighth in cross.
Responsible for taking Brazil to the race walking podium for the first time, with its unprecedented silver medal, Caio Bonfim was the winner in the men’s race, beating Edival Pontes (taekwondo) and Isaquias Queiroz (speed canoeing) from Bahia. Very emotional, he spoke about his first participation in the Olympics, in London 2012, and stated that being invited to the Brazil Olímpico Award was just a dream at the time.
“Sometimes we get tired. We can’t give up, just rest. I didn’t give up, I said ‘I’m going for another cycle, I’m going to try to win this medal’. In this fourth Olympics I left with the best lesson: believe in your dreams and work Winning this trophy made this year even more special”, said Caio, who also ended the night with two more awards: Athlete of the Fans and best athlete in the sport.
The best in each category
In addition to the King Pelé Trophy, the night also distributed other prizes. Caio Bonfim was elected by popular vote as the Fan Athlete. Ana Sátila (Canoeing Slalom), Beatriz Souza (Judo), Tatiana Weston-Webb (Surfing), Alison dos Santos “Piu” (Athletics) and Darlan Souza (Volleyball) also competed.
The New Athlete award went to Gustavo ‘Bala Loka’ Oliveira, sixth place in Paris in the BMX park freestyle. The other nominees were Maria Fernanda Costa, from swimming, and Raicca Ventura, from skate park. Flávia Saraiva was elected Influencer of the Year.
In the Inspire Award, created to honor the most inspiring athlete of the year, the winner was Ana Sátila Vargas, from canoe slalom. The competition included Beatriz Souza (judo), Duda and Ana Patricia (beach volleyball), Jade Barbosa (artistic gymnastics), Raquel Kochhann (rugby 7) and Tatiana Weston-Webb (surfing).
Judo coach Sarah Menezes won best individual coach, while Francisco Porath was best coach, in the same category, for artistic gymnastics. In team sports, coach Arthur Elias, of the Brazilian women’s team, received the award for best coach, while the players were chosen as the best team of the year.
In addition to the main awards, José Roberto Guimarães was honored and received the Adhemar Ferreira da Silva Trophy for his contribution to Brazilian sport. He owns five Olympic medals, the most recent being bronze in Paris 2024 with the women’s volleyball team.
