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    • Alfonsina Maldonado

    Paralympic athlete, speaker, and equine-assisted therapy instructor. She is a symbol of perseverance, inclusion, and resilience, bringing Uruguay’s story and values to the world through sport.

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    Alfonsina Maldonado was born on December 9, 1984, in the department of Florida, Uruguay. She grew up in the countryside, an environment that allowed her to discover and develop her passion for the world of horses.

    She is an agricultural technician and an equine therapy instructor. At age 20, she began her career as a Paralympic athlete in the discipline of dressage. She lived in several European countries, including Spain, Italy, Portugal, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, gaining experience and competing in various international events.

    In 2016, she made history by participating in the Rio Paralympic Games, becoming the first Uruguayan athlete to compete in equestrian dressage at that event. She placed eighth and earned an Olympic diploma. In addition, she has ranked among the top five in the world in her discipline.

    In addition to receiving various international awards and recognitions throughout her career, Maldonado has focused her efforts beyond sports, sharing her story of struggle and overcoming adversity in motivational talks, inspiring others to pursue their dreams. She works especially with children and teenagers on issues related to bullying and currently leads a foundation dedicated to supporting children who have suffered burns in Uruguay.

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