Ymanitu Silva

Last updated
Ymanitu Silva
Full nameYmanitu Geon da Silva
Country (sports)Brazil
Born (1983-04-23) April 23, 1983 (age 41)
Tijucas,Santa Catarina, Brazil
Singles
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open QF (2023)
French Open SF (2019)
Wimbledon QF (2022)
Other tournaments
Paralympic Games QF (2016)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open F (2023)
French Open F (2019, 2022)
Wimbledon SF (2022)
US Open SF (2023)
Other doubles tournaments
Paralympic Games 4th (2024)
Medal record
Parapan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2019 Lima Singles
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2023 Santiago Doubles

Ymanitu Geon da Silva (born 23 April 1983) is a Brazilian Paralympic tennis player, specializing in wheelchair tennis in the quad category. Throughout his career, Ymanitu has won several international titles and represented Brazil in several major competitions, including the Paralympic Games and Grand Slams. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Personal life

Ymanitu Geon da Silva was born in Tijucas, Santa Catarina, Brazil and, after suffering a spinal cord injury from a car accident, became one of the leading representatives of wheelchair tennis in the country. He is widely known by the nickname “Many” and has been recognized for his contributions to Paralympic sports.

In 2023, Ymanitu faced a tense situation when he had to leave Israel during bombings while participating in an international tournament. He returned to Brazil safely after this dramatic experience. [4] [5]

Career

Early career

Ymanitu began his journey in wheelchair tennis under the international quad classification, a category for players with impairments in three or more limbs. He stood out in regional and national competitions, gaining recognition for his technique and determination. [6]

International titles and Grand Slams

In 2018, Ymanitu was honored as the Best Tennis Player at the Paralympic Awards, recognizing his achievements on the international stage. [7]

One of the highlights of his career came in 2019, when he claimed the championship title in the Czech Republic [8] and finished as the runner-up at the Toyota Open in France. [9]

Ymanitu competed at Roland Garros in 2021, facing formidable challenges against the world's best wheelchair tennis players. [10] At Wimbledon, he faced the world number one in his tournament debut, marking another milestone in his career. [11]

At the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Ymanitu Silva won the gold medal in wheelchair tennis, securing a direct spot for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. His performance in Lima reinforced his status as one of the leading athletes in the sport and raised expectations for his participation in the next Paralympics, where he aimed for even greater achievements. [12]

Paralympics

Ymanitu represented Brazil at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, marking his debut at the Paralympic Games. He entered the competition as Brazil's number one in wheelchair tennis. In his opening match, Silva defeated Frenchman Stéphane Houdet, a two-time Paralympic champion, in straight sets, establishing himself as one of the country's rising stars in the sport. [13]

The Rio 2016 Paralympics also marked a milestone for Brazil in wheelchair tennis, as it was the first time the country fielded four players in the event, including Silva. This strong representation symbolized progress for the sport's development in Brazil and heightened expectations for the team's performance. [14]

By the end of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Brazilian wheelchair tennis team, including Ymanitu, achieved its best campaign in the event's history. [15]

Although Silva did not win a medal, his performance and that of his teammates represented a significant milestone for the sport's evolution in Brazil, serving as a springboard for future international competitions. [16]

At the 2020 Summer Paralympics, Ymanitu once again represented Brazil, competing valiantly in his matches. [17]

In 2024, Ymanitu was selected to compete at the Paris Paralympic Games. [18] In the singles event, [19] he faced Rob Shaw in the first round, and alongside Leandro Pena, he reached the doubles semifinals, ultimately falling short in the bronze medal match. [20] [21]

2022

At the 2022 Australian Open, Ymanitu Silva reached the doubles final, further establishing himself as one of the top players in his category. [22]

2023: Silver in Vendée, Doubles Final in Italy, and Parapan in Santiago

In 2023, Ymanitu Silva achieved another significant result by winning the silver medal at the Vendée Open for Paralympic tennis in France. This tournament demonstrated his continued competitiveness at the highest levels of the sport. [23]

Later that year, Silva and Leandro Pena reached the doubles final in Italy, solidifying the Brazilian partnership on the international wheelchair tennis stage. The duo had an excellent campaign, overcoming tough matches to secure their spot in another major final. [24]

At the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, Silva and Pena advanced to the doubles semifinals with a series of impressive victories. The duo's campaign culminated in a silver medal, narrowly missing out on gold. [25]

In the singles category, Leandro Pena defeated Ymanitu Silva in the bronze medal match, concluding their participation in Santiago. Despite not securing a singles podium finish, the duo's overall performance was a testament to their strength as a team. [26]

Professional titles

ITF (Singles)

Singles Titles by Year
YearTitlesTournamentTypeCategorySurface
20231Toyota Open International De 'ile De ReITFITF 2 SeriesHard
20222s Versicherung Austrian Open 2022ITFITF 2 SeriesCarpet
Fundación Emilio Sánchez VicarioITFITF 2 SeriesHard
20213Sahin Kirbiyik OpenITFITF 2 SeriesClay
Kemal Sahin OpenITFITF 2 SeriesClay
Vilamoura OpenITFITF Futures SeriesHard
20193Prague Cup Czech IndoorITFITF 2 SeriesHard
Brasil Wheelchair Tennis Open - New VenueITFITF 2 SeriesClay
Czech OpenITFITF 2 SeriesClay
20184Brasil Wheelchair Tennis Open - NewITFITF 2 SeriesHard
Semana Guga Kuerten - New DatesITFITF 2 SeriesClay
Be'er Sheba OpenITFITF 3 SeriesHard
Israel OpenITFITF 2 SeriesHard
20173Tennis Canada International ChampsITFITF 2 SeriesHard
Israel Open - New DatesITFITF 2 SeriesHard
Open de VendeeITFITF 3 SeriesHard
20162Semana Guga KuertenITFITF 2 SeriesClay
São Paulo Wheelchair Tennis OpenITFITF Futures SeriesClay
20152Semana Guga KuertenITFITF 2 SeriesClay
Copa Butija Wheelchair Tennis - New DatesITFITF Futures SeriesClay
20144Colombia Open - New DatesITFITF 3 SeriesClay
Copa Guga KuertenITFITF 2 SeriesClay
Copa Butija Wheelchair TennisITFITF Futures SeriesClay
South American GamesITFITF Futures SeriesClay
20112BH OpenITFITF 3 SeriesClay
Minas OpenITFITF 3 SeriesClay

Awards

• Prêmio Paralímpico [Paralympic Award] as Best Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year from the Brazilian Paralympic Committee: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022

References

  1. "Ymanitu Silva - Wheelchair Tennis | Paralympic Athlete Profile". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  2. https://www.olympics.com/en/paris-2024-paralympics/athlete/ymanitu-silva_2014931
  3. www.itftennis.com https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/ymanitu-silva/800335617/bra/wct/s/overview/ . Retrieved 2025-01-05.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ""Situação muito tensa": tenista de SC tenta deixar Israel após bombardeios". NSC Total (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  5. "Tenista chega a SC após bombardeio em Israel | DIARINHO". www.diarinho.net (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  6. "Ymanitu Geon da Silva". CPB (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1983-04-23. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  7. Redação. "Revista TÊNIS Ymanitu Silva é premiado como melhor tenista no Prêmio Paralímpico 2018". Revista TÊNIS. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  8. "Parapan de Lima: ouro no tênis em cadeira de rodas dá vaga para Tóquio". Agência Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  9. "Ymanitu Silva é vice-campeão do Toyota Open de Tênis, na França". IstoÉ Dinheiro (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  10. Rossi, André (2019-05-10). "Ymanitu Silva fará história no tênis em cadeira de rodas". Olimpíada Todo Dia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  11. https://istoe.com.br/ymanitu-silva-enfrenta-no-1-do-mundo-na-estreia-em-wimbledon/.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. "Parapan de Lima: ouro no tênis em cadeira de rodas dá vaga para Tóquio". Agência Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  13. "No tênis, número 1 do Brasil passa de fase e desafia bicampeão paralímpico | paralimpíadas | ge". ge.globo.com. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  14. Redação. "Revista TÊNIS Brasil bate recorde de tenistas inscritos nos Jogos Paralímpicos do Rio". Revista TÊNIS. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  15. Redação. "Revista TÊNIS Brasil alcança melhor campanha do tênis em cadeira de rodas nas Paralimpíadas do Rio". Revista TÊNIS. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  16. Getsites. "Ymanitu Silva (Many) estreia amanhã nas Paraolimpíadas RIO 2016 Conheça um pouco mais sobre Many - Notícias - Bola do Vale". boladovale.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  17. marceloleite (2021-05-18). "Coluna – Títulos na Europa deixam Ymanitu Silva próximo de Tóquio". Informe Amazonas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  18. "Ymanitu Silva é convocado para as Paralimpíadas no tênis de cadeira de rodas | DIARINHO". www.diarinho.net (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  19. Canada, Tennis (2024-08-27). "Rob Shaw to Face Ymanitu Silva in 2024 Paralympics First Round". Tennis Canada. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  20. Suaide, Pedro (2024-09-01). "Dupla brasileira cai na semi do tênis em cadeira de rodas". Olimpíada Todo Dia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  21. olimpiadatododia. "Ymanitu Silva e Leandro Pena batem na trave na disputa do bronze". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  22. "Ymanitu Silva é vice-campeão de duplas no Australian Open". www.lance.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  23. Veloso, Isabella (2023-05-14). "Ymanitu Silva é prata no Open de Vendeé de tênis paralímpico". Olimpíada Todo Dia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  24. Barros, Adielson de (2023-09-29). "Ymanitu e Leandro ficam com o vice nas duplas de quad Itália". Olimpíada Todo Dia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  25. Tecnologia, Ydeal. "Ymanitu e Leandro Pena conquistam prata no Parapan-Americanos - VipSocial ® | Tv Vip ® | Notícias e TV na Internet". Ymanitu e Leandro Pena conquistam prata no Parapan-Americanos - VipSocial ® | Tv Vip ® | Notícias e TV na Internet (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  26. Gentile, Gabriel (2023-11-24). "Leandro Pena vence duelo caseiro e leva o bronze no Parapan". Olimpíada Todo Dia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-04.