Wilson Gomes

The greatest moment in Wilson Gomes’ track career came at the 1951 Pan American Games, when he became Brazil’s first individual medalist in that tournament by taking silver in the 400 metres hurdles, behind Colombia’s Jaime Aparicio. He was also fifth in the 110 metres hurdles. He was then selected for three events at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, but only started in one, the 400 metres hurdles, due to an illness in his throat. He continued competing for the remainder of the decade, taking bronze in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1955 Pan American Games and finishing sixth in the 110 metres hurdles in both 1955 and 1959. He lived a relatively quiet life after that, but was selected to start the torch relay for the 2007 Pan American Games, which were held in Rio de Janeiro.

Personal Best: 400H – 51.9 (1953).