Ymanitu Silva

[1][2][3] Ymanitu Geon da Silva was born in Tijucas, Santa Catarina, Brazil and, after suffering a spinal cord injury from a car accident, became one of the leading representatives of wheelchair tennis in the country.

In his opening match, Silva defeated Frenchman Stéphane Houdet, a two-time Paralympic champion, in straight sets, establishing himself as one of the country's rising stars in the sport.

[7] The Rio 2016 Paralympics also marked a milestone for Brazil in wheelchair tennis, as it was the first time the country fielded four players in the event, including Ymanitu Silva.

[8] By the end of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Brazilian wheelchair tennis team, including Ymanitu, achieved its best campaign in the event's history.

[9] Although Silva did not win a medal, his performance and that of his teammates represented a significant milestone for the sport's evolution in Brazil, serving as a springboard for future international competitions.

[18] Later that year, Ymanitu Silva and Leandro Pena reached the doubles final in Italy, solidifying the Brazilian partnership on the international wheelchair tennis stage.

[23] In the singles event,[24] he faced Rob Shaw in the first round, and alongside Leandro Pena, he reached the doubles semifinals, ultimately falling short in the bronze medal match.