Multi-medal Paralympic winner, ‘Peixinha’, dies at age 37

Grief

Known as Peixinha, she passed away after cardiorespiratory arrest

Brazilian sport is in mourning. Multimedallist Joana Neves, aged 37, who was elected in 2020 as the best Paralympic swimmer in the country in the Best Swimming Trophy, died in the early hours of this Monday (18), in São Paulo. Born in Natal (RN), the athlete, better known as Joaninha and Peixinha, did not survive a cardiorespiratory arrest, according to an official note published by the club she defended, the Society for Friends of the Physically Handicapped (Sadef).

According to Sadef, Joana Neves was in the capital of São Paulo to undergo tests, as she had recently had episodes of seizures. On Sunday (17), the athlete was taken to the hospital, after feeling unwell at the Paralympic Training Center (CTP), but could not resist a cardiorespiratory arrest.

The Ministry of Sports deeply regrets the death of Paralympic swimmer Joana Maria Jaciara da Silva Neves Euzébio.

In this moment of sadness, we wish comfort to friends, family and fans.

Note of regret: https://t.co/IG3LGK1WKi

— Ministry of Sports (@EsporteGovBR) March 18, 2024

Throughout her career, Joaninha collected podiums, becoming one of the references in the sport. She was world champion in the 50 meter freestyle and also in the 4x50m mixed relay, in addition to taking bronze in Glasgow (2015). At the last World Cup, on Madeira Island (Portugal), two years ago, Joaninha reached the podium four times: she won gold in the 4x50m mixed freestyle relay, silver in the 50m freestyle class S5 (physical-motor limitation) and also took two bronzes (50m butterfly and 100m freestyle).

In the Paralympics, Joaninha won two silvers and three bronzes in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. In the Parapan-Americans she shone with four golds in the Gualalajara edition (2011), another five golds in Toronto (2015), and four more in Lima (2019).

NOTE OF GRIEVANCE – Death of Joana Neves, Paralympic medalist in swimming. pic.twitter.com/wISA2iVXbJ

— Brazilian Paralympic Committee (@cpboficial) March 18, 2024

In a statement, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) expressed “extreme regret” over the athlete’s early death.

“We are dismayed by the departure of Joana Neves, our Joaninha. So much charisma outside the pools, so much determination when she fell into the water to represent our country, her state, Rio Grande do Norte, her friends and her family. How many people were proud of Joaninha’s achievements. And how much joy she gave us. She was a tremendous athlete. May God, in his infinite kindness, comfort the hearts of family and friends”, said Mizael Conrado, president of the entity.

Diagnosed with short stature in the first years of her life, Joana Neves started swimming at the age of 10. At 13 she started competing and the following year she competed in her first international competition. The swimmer’s social media also published an official statement of her death.

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