Thursday, November 2nd, 2023.- A true milestone was achieved on this Thursday at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

Brazilian Bruna Alexandre, a one-armed table tennis player who lost her right arm due to a thrombosis at six months of age, made a remarkable debut in the female's team tournament.

The athlete, who aims to become the sixth athlete in history to participate in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games, along with her partner Giulia Takahashi, defeated the Chilean duo Paulina Vega and Daniela Ortega with scores of 11-3, 11-9, and 11-6.

In the morning, the Brazilian pair had already overcome the Colombian duo of Cory Téllez and María Perdomo with scores of 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, and 11-7.

"I started playing today, and I have Bruna and Giulia on my team, who are experienced athletes. We played against Chile, a very strong team and the favorites of the crowd. I hope to win a gold or reach a final. Today was a very positive day," Alexandre said after the match.

"I am very happy to be here and to have this opportunity. The Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation and the coach gave me the chance to be part of the Olympic team. I am very happy to represent all people with disabilities," she added.

"My big dream is to play in the Olympic Games. I am already qualified for the Paralympics in Paris, but my dream is to participate in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024," she concluded.

Bruna Alexandre has been participating in para-sports since she was 13 years old and has already won a silver medal and two bronzes at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Can she add to this record in the Olympic Games?

Written by Patricio Echagüe - Verónica Torres; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by