Brazil U23's hoping to emulate their senior men's team success

The Brazil U23 team will go into the U23 World Championships hoping to emulate the success of the senior men’s team in Rio 2016 when they achieved their best ever finish. Brazil finished second in the U23 America’s qualifier in Argentina last January and this will be their fourth appearance at a junior World’s, with a second placed finish in 2001, when they hosted the tournament in Blumenau, being their best result to date.

We found out a little more about Wellington Máximo, an integral member of the U23 team.

Name: Wellington Máximo de Souza Silva

Age: 19 years old

Where are you from? Planaltina (DF), Brazil

How long have you been playing wheelchair basketball? 6 years

Class: 1.0

Disability: Spinal cord injury C7

What is your home club? Candangos, Brazil

How do you feel about representing your country at the U23 World Championships? I’m very happy to be representing my country and hopeful we will do well.

How have the team been preparing for the Championships? We’ve been practicing a lot and dedicating ourselves.

How important is it to participate at the U23 World Championships as a young player? Very important. I’m hopeful and very focused on practicing, my aim is to get to the Brazilian Senior team and this is a first great step.

What are you most looking forward to about taking part in the U23 World Championships? I hope that everything goes well, the Brazilian team achieves the victory and that we can have a great Championship.

The Brazil U23 team have made one change from the team that helped them to qualify for the U23 World Championships with the new addition of Phillipe Gonçalves.