Wlamir Marques represents Brazil and enters the Basketball Hall of Fame

In a ceremony held this Wednesday, the 23rd, Brazilian basketball had the entry of another historic athlete into the Hall of Fame. Wlamir Marquesalso known as Diabo Loiro, joined the select group of players who made history in the sport, in an event recognized and promoted by International Basketball Federation.

At the age of 85, Wlamir was not present at the event, which was held in Manila, capital of the Philippines, but the former athlete celebrated this personal achievement through his press office. “I am very grateful to the CBB. It’s almost a posthumous FIBA ​​commemoration. It’s been 50 years since I stopped playing. But I was very emotional. I got called from Switzerland last week. It is an emotion that I lacked”he said.

Two-time world champion and owner of two Olympic medals, Diabo Loiro said he had many achievements in his career, but this one was very important. “I have the Hall of Fame of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, apart from the other honors. And this is very important. Time goes by and they forgetsaid Wlamir Marques.

In addition, the Brazilian thanked the attention given to him, as they do not usually reward and remember players who have been active for so long. “The effort they put in was superhuman. They already considered that I had no right for the past tense”said the former athlete.

Born in São Vicente, on the coast of São Paulo, Walmir Marques already has his name engraved in the Hall of Fame of Brazilian Olympic Committee. In addition to being twice world champion, in a golden generation of national basketball, the former athlete won two bronze medals, at the Olympics in Rome and Tokyo, in 1960 and 1964, respectively.