Suellen Dellangelica Lima has established herself as Paralympic sitting volleyball’s comeback queen. After stepping away from the sport and missing the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games to focus on her family, including giving birth to her son, Suellen returned in 2022 with renewed vigor that quickly reasserted herself as one of Brazil’s top players.
Suellen first made her mark at London 2012, helping Brazil secure a commendable fifth-place finish. She then reached new heights at their home Games in Rio, where she played a crucial role in capturing the bronze medal.
Her decision to step away from the sport after Rio 2016 was deeply personal. This period was crucial as she focused on welcoming her son Murilo into the world, which meant she had to miss the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
“I am very happy to return to the Paralympic Games after giving birth to my son. I feel like we are just ready to play well. We hope to be able to head to the finals and get another historic medal,” Suellen said, reflecting on being back at the Paralympics.
When she returned in 2022, she quickly reestablished herself as a key player for Brazil. Her comeback was highlighted by a gold medal at the 2022 World Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This achievement came after years of consistent performances on the world stage, including a silver medal at the 2015 Parapan American Games, and a fifth-place finish at the 2018 World Championships in the Netherlands.
As she competes at Paris 2024, Suellen has once again demonstrated her importance to the Brazilian team. Her strong performances in the last three matches have underscored her determination to elevate Brazil’s standing from bronze to gold.
“I am very happy to be here in Paris. This is my third Paralympic Games,” she shared with pride.
Throughout her career, Suellen has balanced her athletic ambitions with her personal life. “My son, Murilo, is now three years old. He is back home in Brazil,” she mentioned.
Beyond her own achievements, Suellen is deeply invested in the growth of sitting volleyball. “I am also proud to be representing the sport of sitting volleyball, and I can see that the game is steadily growing,” she said, highlighting the sport’s development.
She continues to play at the club level in Brazil, where she is actively contributing to the sport’s expansion. “I also play in the club level in Brazil, so this year we had six teams in the championship,” she noted.
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