Brazil comes out on top at Parapan Am Games

Brazil's final medal count at the Parapan American Games 2015 in Toronto, Canada, reflected the performance of a sports power: a total 257 medals, consisting of 109 gold, 74 silver, and 74 bronze medals, gave Brazil the foremost place on the podium. This has been Brazil's best appearance in the event's history, outperforming its 221-medal record set at Rio 2007 Parapan American Games.

To get an idea of Brazil's Paralympic dominance this year, Canada, the runner-up, won less than half of Brazil's gold medal count – 50 medals, whereas third-placed United States had 40.

Brazil's ultimate gold came Saturday as a hard-fought 3-1 victory against its traditional rival Argentina on men's football 7-a-side.

Brazil's remarkable participation raised expectations around the Rio 2016 Paralympics, when Brazil will have the advantage of playing at home close to fans. Promising talents abound: Parapan swimming brought home 109 medals and secured a men's triple podium with Vanilton Nascimento, Ruiter Silva, and Matheus da Silva. Last week, Brazilian athletes made it to the finals in all sports.

*With information from the Brazilian Paralympic Committee

Translated by Mayra Borges