Mauricio dos Santos, after winning his heat in a rare 400m semi-final at the Brazilian Athletics U-20 Championships (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube)
Mauricio dos Santos’ story, “The Bolt of Mato Grosso,” even rallied a sporting goods supplier, but the 16-year-old runner will be running barefoot on Sunday (9) again.
Bolt of Mato Grosso, as he’s nicknamed, hasn’t been able to find a size 47 shoe despite the national ramifications of his feat. On Friday (7), he competed barefoot and won a rare 400m semi-final at the Brazilian Athletics U20 Championships – however, his time wasn’t enough to secure a place in the final.
He will be barefoot on the track again to compete in the 4x100m relay. The competition takes place in Cascavelle, Paraná, and includes 715 athletes and 124 teams from 23 states of the country.
Mauricio’s sister, Ludmila, told UOL that she only found the right size sneaker outside of Brazil, in the UK. She goes to look for equipment for her brother.
The 1.86m athlete lost two torn sneakers last year, when he grew up and went from 45 to 47. In addition to size, the financial problem is another factor that makes it difficult for the family to find shoes.
Shoe packing
The runner’s situation has made many people aware and has led to the creation of crowdfunding. Attorney Maria Gabriela Junqueira reached out to Mauricio’s family and they came up with the idea to raise money and help him financially – crowdfunding had already raised R$2,600 and had 67 collaborators as of publishing this text.
Even Puma got involved and promised an gear kit for the young athlete. Renan Gallina, a 19-year-old runner sponsored by the brand, presented Mauricio with a T-shirt that was a symbolic gift. The kit will be sent by the sporting goods supplier to the family’s home in Arabutanga, Mato Grosso.
In addition to being barefoot, Mauricio ran in shorts in the heat of the 400-meter race. He doesn’t have thermal shorts and his sister said they can’t get clothes either.
[Repercussão] It was crazy. I am so glad I was able to run. I didn’t have much condition to get my sneakers, I ran barefoot to get my mark. In the last championship I ran 52 seconds, in this race 51 seconds. I hope to develop more and more. Thanks to everyone who can help me with everything. Mauricio dos Santos Oliveira, on TV Atlétismo Brasil.