Considered the greatest Paralympic medalist in Brazilian table tennis history, Bruna Alexandre made history as the first Brazilian athlete to compete at both the Olympics and Paralympics during the same Games cycle. Although the table tennis star was knocked out in the first round of the Olympics, she came back to claim two bronze medals in the Paralympics. Alexandre’s historic participation in both Games highlights how she did not let her disability stop her from becoming the best of the best.
An Impressive Resume
Undergoing the amputation of her right arm as a baby, Alexandre picked up table tennis when she was seven years old. “Table tennis is my life…for me, I dedicate my life to this sport,” Alexandre said. Before 2024, her impressive career includes winning the mixed doubles event at the 2022 Paralympic World Championships, and being a winner of four Paralympic Games medals: Two bronze medals at the 2016 Rio Games and a bronze and silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Alexandre is also experienced with conventional table tennis as a two-time national champion and a second place finish at the 2023 Pan American Table Tennis Team Competition.
Achieving the Dream
In April, Alexandre secured her spot on Brazil’s national team for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. It wasn’t until June that the Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation announced Alexandre’s qualification for the Paris Olympics. “I am very happy to have this opportunity to represent all Brazilians with disabilities at the Olympic Games and show that I can compete on equal terms with any athlete. I dream of being a Paralympic champion and playing against athletes without disabilities strengthens me in pursuit of this goal,” Alexandre told the Brazilian Paralympic Committee.
Alexandre followed in the footsteps of one of her inspirations, Polish table tennis player Natalia Partyka, who was the first athlete to qualify for both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. Competing in the women’s team event, Alexandre and partner Giulia Takahashi were knocked out by South Korea in the first round. Despite their finish, Alexandre expressed the importance of her experience, saying “It was important for me to be here for the Olympics, not only as an athlete, but also as a person with a disability. I think it’s important to show that people can be included in any environment.”
“It was important for me to be here for the Olympics, not only as an athlete, but also as a person with a disability…it’s important to show that people can be included in any environment.”
Back for Round Two
Just two weeks later, Alexandre was back for the Paralympics with high hopes. "I hope to…get the gold medal in Paris,” she said in an interview prior to the Games. “In Tokyo, I took the silver, but I see that my preparation is getting better and better.” Competing in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles event, Alexandre dominated, taking home two bronze medals in the women’s doubles and singles. “I am happy and proud to be one of those people [to compete at both Games],” she said. “It has been a dream for a long time, and I am happy to be able to make it true. I believe that I can inspire other athletes to try and compete at different levels as well.”
A VOICE for Inclusion
Alexandre hopes that her historic summer and participation in both Games will set an example for inclusion in sports. Before leaving for Paris, she expressed how the experience “will be special for me, not only in terms of sports, but also for all people with disabilities. Showing that everything is possible motivates me a lot. I hope that one day this will be something normal in our country and in the world too.”
Alexandre’s selection to represent Brazil in both the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics highlights how she did not let her disability define her. Instead, her perseverance and commitment to play at the Olympic level and her success as a Paraylmpian and international table tennis player showcase how hard work can contribute to success as long as you commit to the process and stay true to your goals. Society may try to count you out or diminish your abilities based on your appearance, but you are the only one who can define what you can achieve.
