Deise de Castro

Deise de Castro captured her first Brazilian track and field national title in 1949, when she won the 200 metres. In 1951, she was champion in the high jump, a feat that she repeated in 1952. This led to her selection for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where she was 12th in the high jump and eliminated in round one of the 200 metres. She had better luck at that year’s South American Championships, where she won the 200 metres.

In 1953, de Castro won both of those events, as well as the long jump, at the Brazilian championships. She defended her 200 metres crown at both the national and South American championships in 1954, taking silver in the long jump and bronze in the high jump at the latter. She did not win any Brazilian titles in 1955, but did take home silver in the high jump, behind Millie McDaniel of the United States, at that year’s Pan American Games.

Although she competed into the 1960s, her last major international medal was silver in the high jump at the 1958 South American Championships. Following her retirement from active competition, she worked as a health counselor and also owned a buffet.

Personal Bests: 200 – 25.22 (1952); HJ – 1.64 (1953).