Member Spotlight

This month, we are shining a spotlight on an Aztec Recreation member who is an international track star: Brazilian 110 Meter Olympic hurdler, João de Oliveira. Famous for his dramatic finish line dives, he was able to qualify for the semi-finals in the 110m hurdles to at the Rio Olympics using his world-renown technique. While most track athletes run and lean forward through the line in order to shave a few milliseconds off their times, de Oliveira’s technique shaves off more time, but diving on a track has its risks; in the World Championships in Beijing, he broke his ribs.

After his success in the Rio Olympics, João visited San Diego with a friend and found that Aztec Recreation could provide the world class facilities that he needed to train at a level that he did not have back in Brazil. He works out several hours every day at the ARC, on the Sports Deck, and at the Aquaplex as he prepares for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

Olympic 110 meter hurdlers are some of the fastest athletes in the world, so those members with whom he plays an occasional pick up basketball game with know who he is! But, João isn’t always working out. He enjoys being social and meeting new people everywhere he travels and, being a professional athlete, he has the opportunity to travel around the globe, having been to every continent except Antarctica. His memories from traveling are always about the people and the culture. He says some of the best experiences have been right here at SDSU! He loves the diversity of the campus and of San Diego as a whole.  

To João, being a professional athlete is a dream come true and he appreciates every opportunity it brings. So he tries to use this good fortune to do his best in all things, whether it’s being an inspiration to aspiring young athletes or sharing his enthusiasm and making new friends in new places. João always puts in his full effort. He says “It comes from the heart.”