Edson Perri started his athletic career as a swimmer, but quickly switched to rowing before finally settling on water polo. He made his international début in that sport after World War II, at the 1945 South American Championships, and won his first major international medal, silver, at the 1951 Pan American Games. He followed this up with an appearance at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where Brazil was eliminated in the preliminary round. After capturing the bronze medal at the 1955 Mediterranean Games, he retired from active competition.
Having graduated with a degree in physical education, Perri took up coaching and was an assistant coach with the national team at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He would go on to lead them at two more editions of the Games, 1968 and 1984, where Brazil placed 13th and 12th respectively. He also led Brazil to a South American Championship title in 1980. Domestically, he helped coach Botafogo to three titles (1978, 1980, 1982).
Brazil