On 24 May, Portuguese athlete Mamudo Baldé became the fastest wheelchair athlete in Europe, finishing second in the 100 metres T54 class at ParAthletics 2026, a WPA Grand Prix event in Nottwil, Switzerland.
With a time of 13.61 seconds, Baldé, from the João Correia Academy and representing the Portuguese national team, set a new European record and achieved the second fastest time of all time in the world.
In a very high-level race, the first two finishers surpassed the previous world record, with Thai athlete Athiwat Paeng-Nuea winning in 13.54 seconds and setting a new world record.
By crossing the finish line in 13.61 seconds, Mamudo Baldé improved the previous European record, set at 13.63 seconds and held by the Finn Leo-Pekka Tähti since the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The competition in Nottwil marked the end of the Portuguese wheelchair athletics team’s tour of Switzerland, as the WPA Grand Prix Parathletics 2026 was the last of three competitions in a demanding cycle that began on 14 May with the Daniela Jutzeler Memorial meeting and the Swiss Nationals, both held in Arbon.
Mamudo Baldé, who started the final race as the world-ranking leader, continues to prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
The Portuguese performance in Switzerland also included the participation of athlete Rafael Neto, from the João Correia Academy, who placed 13th in the 100m T54 final with a time of 14.63 seconds, setting a new personal record.