Vicente Almonacid

Vicente Enrique Almonacid Heyl (born 28 October 2000) is a Chilean Paralympic swimmer who competes in international swimming competitions. Almonacid is a Parapan American Games and World champion in the breaststroke, and was the first Chilean swimmer to win a World title. He competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, where he finished in eighth place in his final.[1][2]

Vicente Almonacid
Personal information
Full nameVicente Enrique Almonacid Heyl
Born (2000-10-28) 28 October 2000
Sport
Country Chile
SportParalympic swimming
DisabilityFibromatosis
Disability classS8
Coached byJosé Mafio
Medal record
Paralympic swimming
Representing  Chile
World Championships
Gold medal – first place2022 Madeira100m breaststroke SB8
Silver medal – second place2023 Manchester100m breaststroke SB8
Parapan American Games
Gold medal – first place2019 Lima100m breaststroke SB8
Silver medal – second place2019 Lima200m individual medley SM8
Bronze medal – third place2019 Lima50m freestyle S8

Personal life

Almonacid was born with an aggressive form of fibromatosis, a condition that causes developing tumours on the body. One of his fingers was surgically removed when he was five years old; he also had his left arm amputated and has had multiple operations since then. He began swimming as part of rehabilitation and was trained by Uruguayan former swimmer José Mafio, who participated at the 2004 Summer Olympics.[3]

A month before the 2020 Summer Paralympics, Almonacid found a tumor on his mediastinum. He had the tumor removed despite the operation being complex and high risk due to the location where the tumor was discovered and his health condition.[4][5]

References
  1. "Vicente Almonacid - IPC Athlete Bio". ipc.infostradasports.com. 30 September 2022.
  2. "Vicente Almonacid and One Incredible World Title (in Spanish)". Chile Paralympic Committee. 24 June 2022.
  3. "Vicente Almonacid: A warrior of a thousand battles (in Spanish)". Estadio Deportes TV. 27 August 2021.
  4. "Vicente Almonacid revealed that he competed in Tokyo 2020 despite having a tumour (in Spanish)". El Deportero. 27 August 2021.
  5. "Chilean Vicente Almonacid has a tumor and risked his life by competing in the Paralympics". emol.sport. 27 August 2021.
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