Andrea De

Club: Fencers Club
Coach: Simon Gershon
Wheelchair World Teams: 2017
In 1980, DeMello suffered a stroke that left her right side completely paralyzed. But, that did not stop her from anything. In fact, fencing has helped her recover from her stroke. In 1987, she was the first woman who had a stroke to finish the New York City Marathon. With the help of her sister, DeMello started practicing fencing seriously in 1993 in New Jersey. She participated in her first competition in 1995 in Atlanta, Ga., in a tournament at Shepherd Spinal Center.
Recent Competition History
2012:

• Silver - USA Fencing National Championships (Wheelchair Epee)
• Silver - USA Fencing National Championships (Wheelchair Foil)
• Silver - USA Fencing National Championships (Wheelchair Saber)

2011:

• 17th - Wheelchair World Championships (Epee)
• 18th - Wheelchair World Championships (Foil)

 
2010:

• Bronze - USA Fencing National Championships (Wheelchair Saber)
• Fifth - USA Fencing National Championships (Wheelchair Epee)
• Fifth - USA Fencing National Championships (Wheelchair Foil)
• 10th - Malchow Wheelchair World Cup (Epee)
• 11th - Malchow Wheelchair World Cup (Foil)

• 11th - Wheelchair World Championships (Epee)
• 15th - Wheelchair World Championships (Foil)

2004: 

• 10th - Paralympic Games (Category B Epee, Representing Brazil)
• 10th - Paralympic Games (Category B Foil, Representing Brazil)

2000:

• 12th - Paralympic Games (Category B Foil, Representing Brazil)
• 13th - Paralympic Games (Category B Epee, Representing Brazil)

1996:

• Ninth - Paralympic Games (Category B Epee, Representing Brazil)
• Ninth - Paralympic Games (Category B Foil, Representing Brazil)

Personal

In Beijing, four-time Paralympian Andrea DeMello represented Team USA for the first time. DeMello, originally from Brazil, became a U.S. citizen in 2003 and brought her wheelchair fencing experience to the U.S. Paralympic Team.