‘Always my dream’ – Ribera wins Brazil’s first ever Winter Paralympics medal

You wait an age for a medal, then two come along almost at once.

Cristian Westemaier Ribera became Brazil’s first ever Winter Paralympic medallist by finishing second in the Para-cross-country skiing men’s seated sprint on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old’s silver came less than a month after Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the South American nation’s first medal at a Winter Olympics – gold in the men’s giant slalom.

Ribera was the fastest qualifier, won his semi-final and led in the closing stages of the final, appearing on course for gold.

However, he was overtaken in the final few metres by China’s Liu Zixu, who added a third medal to the gold and bronze he won in Para-biathlon earlier in the Games.

“It is so emotional,” said Ribera. “I would have wanted to come away with a gold medal, but Liu was very strong.

“It was always my dream. When I started to compete in this sport, I thought I would be a Paralympian.

Brazil were first represented at a Winter Paralympics at Sochi 2014 and have eight competitors in action at the 2026 edition.

Because of the lack of snow in Brazil, much of Ribera’s training is done on roller skis, which have wheels to emulate cross-country skiing.

He said: “It’s very different, it’s very difficult, but I’m here representing Brazil and I’m very happy.”

Ribera, who was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, which affects joint movement, is competing at his third Winter Paralympics.

His previous best finish came at Pyeongchang 2018 when, aged 15, he finished sixth in the 15km sitting event.

He failed to match that performance in Beijing four years later, but a World Championship sprint gold in 2025 put him among the medal favourites at Milan-Cortina.

In all, six Para-cross-country skiing gold medals were awarded on Tuesday.

Raman Svirydzenka claimed Belarus’ first medal of the 2026 Games with victory in the men’s standing sprint, while Anastasiia Bagiian won Russia’s second gold at Milan-Cortina in the women’s vision impaired sprint.