Andrea

DeMello

Personal: In Beijing, four-time Paralympian Andrea DeMello represented Team USA for the first time. DeMello, originally from Brazil, became a U.S. citizen in 2003 and brought her wheelchair fencing experience to the U.S. Paralympic Team.

In 1980, DeMello suffered a stroke that left her right side completely paralyzed. But, that did not stop her from anything. In fact, fencing has helped her recover from her stroke. In 1987, she was the first woman who had a stroke to finish the New York City Marathon. With the help of her sister, DeMello started practicing Fencing seriously in 1993 in New Jersey. She participated in her first competition in 1995 in Atlanta, Ga., in a tournament at Shepherd Spinal Center.

Major Achievements:

• 2010: Team Member – Wheelchair Fencing World Championships, Paris, France
• 2010: Third place, Saber; Fifth place, Epee, Foil – Summer National Championship, Atlanta, Georgia
• 2010: Tenth place, Epee; eleventh place, Foil – Wheelchair Fencing World Cup, Malchow, Germany
• 2008: U.S. Paralympic Team member, Fencing – Beijing, China
• 2006: 11^th place, Epee; 15^th place, Foil – Wheelchair Fencing World Championships, Turin, Italy
• 2004: Brazil Paralympic Wheelchair Fencing Team member – Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
• 2000: Brazil Paralympic Wheelchair Fencing Team member – Paralympic Games, Sydney, Australia
• 1996: Brazil Paralympic Wheelchair Fencing Team member – Paralympic Games, Atlanta, Ga.