The pride is evident when listing the places the sport has taken him. At 24 years old, André Luiz de Oliveira takes a new step towards consolidating a successful life story thanks to beach handball. At the South American Games in Praia Santa Marta 2023, the athlete from humble beginnings makes his debut on a mission for the Brazilian team and wants to serve as an example to other children.

“Sport was everything in my life, which saved me. When you’re a little lost, you don’t know what you’re going to do with your life… The opportunity presented itself, I didn’t think twice, I seized it. In 2016 I was lucky enough to go to university with a 100% scholarship thanks to handball. I was going to play and graduate.

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André was born in São Gonçalo, a town in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region. He lived in a violent area and saw sports as a way to grow and develop. The first step was to secure a place at university, where he studied physical education. With his diploma in hand, he moved from athlete to coach and continued to seize the opportunities that presented themselves to him.

He received a proposal to work in a center of the Brazilian Handball Confederation in Paranaguá, Paraná, as a teacher for a project aimed at children. I wanted to contribute to the development of beach sport, which today trains athletes from top to bottom, without necessarily counting on the migration of those who discovered this sport indoors, on the court.

“I lived in São Gonçalo, a very violent city, and I was already thinking about leaving. Then I went to Paranaguá to work in beach handball. It was difficult to make this decision, but it was something I had always strived for. Today, it is possible to start practicing this sport directly thanks to beach handball, and I want to transform lives like the sport transformed mine. Thank goodness it happens.

Andre was called up to the national team for the first time in 2018, but was cut a few times during training before finally getting the chance to defend the country in a competition. In 2022, he made his debut at the Sul-Centro tournament, in Maceió, then made the first international trips of his life, to Greece and the United States, to participate in the World Cup and the World Games. Brazil came third in both events.

In Santa Marta, Brazil is the favorite for a medal at the South American Beach Games. They debuted with a victory in the men’s tournament against host Colombia. This Saturday, they will play two more qualifying matches against Argentina and Peru.

“André had an excellent exit from Rio. He chose sport because he is a full citizen, he graduated from university, is a coach and athlete of the Brazilian national team. This confirms the impact of beach handball in people’s lives. Some may not have a future in this sport, but are becoming great champions.