Edmilsa Governo

Governo was born on 28 February 1998 in Maputo, Mozambique.[1] She started racing at the age of 8.[2]

In 2015, Governo won the 200 metres T12 event at the 2015 African Games,[2] and came third in the 400 metres T12 race at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar.[2][3] In 2016, she won the 200 metres T12 event at the IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Tunis, Tunisia.[4]

At the age of 18,[2] Governo competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. She was the only Mozambican athlete at the Games,[5] and as such was the country's flag bearer at the Parade of Nations.[6] She competed in the women's 100 metres T12 and 400 metres T12 races.[5] In the semi-finals of the 400 metres T12 event, she set an African continental record time of 54.99 seconds.[7] Her time was the third quickest time of the round.[8] In the final, Governo broke the African continental record again, finishing third in a time of 53.89 seconds.[3][7] She lost to Ukrainian Oskana Boturshuk in a sprint finish; Boturshuk finished second in the race.[9] Governo was Mozambique's first medalist at a Paralympic Games.[7] In the 100 metres T12 event, Governo came third in her semi-final, in a national record time of 12.35.[10] She did not qualify for the final.[10] In 2017, Governo failed to qualify for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London.[3]

Governo has cited fellow Mozambican athlete Maria Mutola, who competed at six Olympic Games as an inspiration.[3]

In 2015, Governo was named Mozambique's female sportsperson of the year, at the country's Gala Nacional do Desporto (National Sports Gala).[11]

• Paralympics
• A picture of her