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Janaína Cunha
Personal information
Full name
  • Janaína Petit Cunha
Born 16 July 1977 (1977-07-16) (age 47)
Suzano, São Paulo, Brazil
Medal record
Women's sitting volleyball
Representing  Brazil
Paralympic Games
Bronze 2016 Rio Team
Parapan American Games
Silver 2015 Toronto Team

Janaína Petit Cunha (born 16 July 1977) is an amazing Brazilian athlete. She is a talented sitting volleyball player. Janaína made history by winning the bronze medal for Brazil at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. This was Brazil's very first medal in sitting volleyball! Her team achieved this by beating the Ukrainian team with a score of 3 sets to 0.

Who is Janaína Petit Cunha?

Janaína Petit Cunha was born on July 16, 1977. Her hometown is Suzano, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. She grew up to become a dedicated athlete. Janaína is known for her skill and teamwork in sitting volleyball.

A Paralympic Star

Janaína became a true star at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. These important games were held in her home country, Brazil. She was part of the Brazilian women's sitting volleyball team. The team worked incredibly hard to reach the medal rounds.

In a thrilling match, Janaína and her teammates faced Ukraine. They played their best and won the game. The final score was 3 sets to 0. This victory earned them the bronze medal. It was a huge moment for Brazil. It was the first time the country had won a medal in sitting volleyball at the Paralympics.

Other Achievements

Before her big win in Rio, Janaína also achieved success at other major events. In 2015, she competed in the 2015 Parapan American Games. These games are like the Paralympics but for athletes from the Americas.

At the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada, Janaína's team performed very well. They earned a silver medal in sitting volleyball. This showed her consistent talent and dedication to the sport.

What is Sitting Volleyball?

Sitting volleyball is an exciting team sport. It is played by athletes with disabilities. It is very similar to regular volleyball. However, there are some key differences.

Players must always keep their bottoms on the floor. They can only lift their bottoms when moving to hit the ball. The net is also lower than in regular volleyball. The court is a bit smaller too. These rules make the game fast-paced and challenging. Sitting volleyball is a popular sport at the Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic Games

The Paralympic Games are a huge international sports event. They are for athletes with various disabilities. The Paralympics happen right after the Olympic Games. They are held in the same city.

These games celebrate the strength and determination of athletes. They show that anything is possible with hard work. Janaína Cunha is a great example of a Paralympic athlete. She inspires many young people around the world.

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