Sawt Falasteen - Brazilians hoping to bring the 'funk' to Paralympics 100m final

Defending champion Ferreira, who lost his left arm below the elbow aged two after an accident with a grinding machine, won gold medals in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 and smashed the para-world record in 2022 when he posted a time of 10.29sec.

The 27-year-old qualified for the final earlier on Friday, alongside fellow Brazilians Lucas Sousa Pereira and Washington Junior.

The world record holder finished second in his heat, behind USA's Korban Best, under grey skies and drizzling rain at the Stade de France.

"I think I was sleeping a little (at the start)... But at the end of the race I managed to recover," said Ferreira.

"That's what I did today. Race to qualify, and I'm in the final."

The Brazilian did not let the miserable weather and tough sprinting conditions get him down.

"It's time to have fun," he said. "The final is the most fun moment."

After Ferreira claimed gold in Tokyo three years ago, he shared a dance with his fellow Brazilian competitors and is hoping to do the same thing with Sousa and Washington this time around.

Ferreira, who is from the northeastern state of Paraiba, joked about what music they would hopefully be dancing to after the 2024 final.

"Maybe we'll put on some brega funk," he mused. "Maybe Forro, something from the northeast. But I don't know if (Washington who is from Rio) will know it.

"It's classic... It's easier (to dance to). Jump there, jump here. Everyone gets it right and it's done."

The men's T47 100m final takes place later on Friday.

J.AbuHassan--SF-PST