Partners on and off the court: Meet Brazil’s Edwarda and Rogério Oliveira
After a "rollercoaster of emotions" at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Edwarda de Oliveira Dia and Rogerio Junior Xavier de Oliveira have new goals in mind Para badminton player Rogerio proposed to two-time Paralympic sitting volleyball medallist Edwarda during the Paris 2024 Paralympics 25 Mar 2025
Six months after saying ‘yes’ to the love of her life at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Brazil’s Edwarda de Oliveira Dias is not just busy planning the perfect wedding, she also has her eyes set on competing at the next Games in 2028. This time in a different sport, Para badminton, but with partner Rogério Junior Xavier de Oliveira by her side.
Edwarda, a two-time Paralympic bronze medalist in sitting volleyball (2016, 2020) and part of the fourth-place finishing team at Paris 2024, decided to quit sitting volleyball last year.
“I wanted to have new challenges and continue with individual sport. And, above all, share the court and life with the person I love the most,” Edwarda, who slowly started to make her way into Para badminton in 2022, explained.
Rogério and Edwarda have already shared the podium in Para badminton, and they are currently world No. 5 in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 rankings. They are the reigning Para Pan American champions and want to celebrate success on and off the court.
“We’ve only been training together for a short while. We’re currently still recovering a bit from the rollercoaster ride that was Paris 2024. But our plans for the future are to dedicate ourselves to our evolution and performance on the court”, Edwarda added. “We always want the best results.”
Saying 'yes' in the City of Love
At Paris 2024, the two provided a heartwarming moment at La Chapelle Arena, when Rogério got down on one knee after his Para badminton match holding a sign with the words ‘Edwarda Will You Marry Me?’ and a ring box.
“The proposal was something I planned long before the Paralympics”, Rogério said. “Because Paris is the city of love, everything came together. I knew it was the perfect opportunity to do it.”
Edwarda was watching Rogerio’s singles match against French star Lucas Mazur in the stands. Overwhelmed by emotions, Edwarda accepted the proposal.
“It took me a while to process what was happening”, she said with a smile. “After all it was a dream come true. We went through a lot to get to Paris and the moment he proposed was one of the most special moments of my life.”
It also strengthened their bond, Rogério added. “It increased the love for each other. We’ve now been together for seven years and we now have new dreams and goals to fulfill.”
Romantic Moment: Marriage proposal at Paris 2024💍❤️
Paralympic couple goals
At Paris 2024, Rogerio competed in the men’s singles SL4 category, playing two matches in the group stage. Mazur topped the podium after beating India’s Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj in the gold medal match.
Edwarda, who was competing at her third Paralympics, led Brazil’s campaign at North Paris Arena. Brazil had a perfect 3-0 record in the preliminary stage before losing to the USA in the semifinals and Canada in the bronze medal match.
Since Paris, the two have been busy.
“We still have some things to deal with before we can go ahead with the official wedding”, Edwarda explains. “But preparations are well underway. We don’t have a definitive date at the moment, but I can’t wait for the big day to come.”
Edwarda and Rogerio met about seven years ago at the national training center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “I can say it was love at first sight”, says Rogério. “We both competed in different sports and Edwarda had a lot of accolades to her name. I just wanted to be like her.”
Edwarda smiles, before adding her part of the story. “Rogério came from the same club as me and it was the first time Para badminton was played at the centre, so we naturally rooted for him”, she recalled.
“What struck me was that he was so much like me: enthusiastic, energetic, and with a lot of talent. We started watching each other and one night a friend of his brought me a (paper) heart with his phone number on it. Since then, we’ve never been apart.”
Initially, Edwarda did not expect it would come this far, however. “I never had much aptitude or patience for romance at work. I was so focused on my sport that there was no time for it.
“But with Rogério it was different. I felt something so special that I made an exception. He was the first and only person I loved from the first time I met him.”
Another marriage proposal in the City of Love at the #badminton venue 💝 🇫🇷 😍 Congratulations Rogerio & Edwarda 💍 🇧🇷 🏸@Paris2024 @Paralympics @BraParalimpico pic.twitter.com/Yvdk864G4y
— BWF (@bwfmedia) August 30, 2024
A Hollywood love story
Nowadays, the two compete together with the aim to make it to the LA2028 Paralympic Games. “Her move to Para badminton was something she initiated herself”, Rogério said. “It never surprised me, because she loves to challenge herself. She is full of drive, determination and motivation wherever she goes. I must confess: this woman is a machine.
“She’s not afraid to take risks. Everything she sets out to do, she does well.”
But according to Edwarda, that is only possible because of the ongoing support from her partner. “He’s my biggest supporter and by my side all the time. He believes in me, in us, even if we lose 21-0. This whole change of sport isn’t easy, but he helps me with everything on and off the court.”
Not only on the easy days but especially on the tough ones. “I feel like I’m having a much happier and fulfilled life with him by my side. He teaches me to trust myself, my talent and my potential. With that, I’m sure we can reach our goals”, Edwarda said.
