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RBS Sports is used to tell stories about athletes that break the limits to reach their goals.
There comes another example. I present you, João.
It was a different kind of emotion, because I saw everybody else cheering. I also had
my family support and everyone else too! That really touched me!
But in order to get here, João Corrêa had to beat his very own limits.
Such an intensive preparation to reach an world class record.
I have been practicing for the past 8 months every day, with only one day off every week.
Weekends are used to road practice because there is less traffic. That happened since
That is what we are about to present you now at RBS Sports.
João Correa will attempt to establish a 200 Km world record using a handbike.
He is going to start his journey in Canoas ridding up to Osório and then back to
Porto Alegre at Usina do Gasômetro landmark. That incredible feat in less than 12 hours....
All set for the start. Family, friends and family are there prepared to support him in the Challenge.
The ultramarathonist will use a handbike.
A three wheel bicycle he will pedal using his arms.
4 AM. The saga for the world record begins.
The first few kilometers are tense in a mixture of nerves and anxiety.
After a couple hours the pain strikes the athlete.
He had to deal with some pain because it was too cold in the first couple hours.
Some old injures started to bother him causing cramps
and we got rid of it with massage and pain killers.
That did not stop João. Countless arm movements
Miles and miles until the first stop.
A second massage was necessary to relief the pain.There was a still a long way to go and João was back on the road again.
And if you think João was getting tired look at him at full throttle.
João became disabled at age of 19 due to an work accident. The disability became a
motivation to reach for victories as an athlete. He has raced more than 80 marathons and
150 half marathons with his wheelchair. He won Brazil´s Championship three times in a row
and was also a member of Brazil´s National Paralympic Team.
An injury kept him away from the sport last year. But that was his motivation to try this historic challenge.
During the training I had to undergo an emergency surgery and thank God I had a prompt recover.
During the challenge he had only one tought in his mind:
Finish. That was the only thing I had in my mind. Complete the challenge.
Hour after hour. Minute after minute.
As an athlete he set a goal and went for it. He´s got will power and humor
and that makes things easier for him.
But nothing compares to what João and his team felt
when they reached the final stretch of the challenge.
João could almost *touch* his will power and tears drops could be seen on his face.
It´s the great feel of completing the dutty!
And when the team was spoted arriving at the Usina do Gasômetro Ultramarathon Challenge´s finish line
an incredible feeling of joy started to take over the people present there.
We can now see the group arriving with João Correa
only a few minutes short of the 12 hour deadline! 200 kilometers!
A huge crowd greets João at the finish line.
Everybody is really excited when João completes his 12 hour challenge.
João is really emotional and so everybody here. Departing form Canoas and after 12 hours
arriving here in Porto Alegre.
I thank God for making me able to complete the largest distance by a handicapped person
in the shortest possible time. This is not my record. This is something my team achieved
along me for the State of Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil.
Family. This is the foundation of everything. Men needs to have a great family. Wife...Daughter...Son in law
I am really proud of him. Such an example!
I am so glad!
When he sets a goal in his mind he goes all the way to the end. I told him to go only
until his strength could last. But he insisted and did it.
It´s the victory of a man. The victory of a record maker.
First I think one has to believe in himself not letting any problems put one down.
Act right, be honest. Doing so someone will show up and help one to achieve his goals.
That´s for sure.