Italian wheelchair fencer, Beatrice Vio has been presented with the Best Female Debut at the Paralympic Awards Gala in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (7 September 2017).

When 19 year old ‘Bebe’ took to the piste at her first Paralympic Games in 2016 following an unforgettable qualification period, the pressure was on and she did not disappoint! As the only quadruple amputee competing internationally in the sport, Vio secured gold in the women’s individual foil category B followed by the nail-biting victory as she led the Italian team to a bronze medal in the team foil.

The Award Ceremony, held alongside the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly and Elections hosted in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates capital, was attended by fellow Rio 2016 athletes, ex-Paralympic stars and recipients of the Paralympic Order.

Upon receipt of the award, Vio said, “I got [this award] for the event that was my dream since I started practicing wheelchair fencing: the Paralympics of Rio 2016,”

“I hope this award can stimulate so many other children and boys who, like me, have found themselves a day to start again from scratch. Sport can help you to pick up your life again and make you understand, despite everything, how beautiful it is.”

IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Chairman, Pal Szekeres said, "Bebe Vio made a fantastic debut at Rio 2016 where she won the gold individual. However, in my opinion, her best fencing ever was in the team event when she led Italy to bronze medal. It was an exhilarating and overwhelming performance and everybody near the piste was crying, including me! There is no doubt, she is a symbol of the Paralympic spirit."