Daila Dameno

Lore & Background

Daila Dameno was left tetraplegic following a car accident. She began her Paralympic career in swimming, competing at the 2004 Summer Paralympics where she finished 8th in the 200 m freestyle S5, 7th in the 50 m freestyle S5, and 7th in the 50 m butterfly S5. She then turned to para-alpine skiing, representing Italy at the 2006 Winter Paralympics. In the slalom, she achieved a time of 1:49.53, winning the silver medal behind American Stephani Victor (1:48.54) and ahead of Japanese Tatsuko Aoki (1:51.39). In the giant slalom, she placed third with a time of 2:08.08, behind Kuniko Obinata (2:05.03) and Laurie Stephens (2:05.11). She also competed at the 2010 Winter Paralympics.

In 2022, Dameno took up para-archery, shooting with a compound bow. She quickly achieved notable results, debuting at the Italian Championship in Lanciano where she placed 2nd in both qualifications and the final match in the W1 category against Asia Pellizzari. At the Italian Indoor Championships in Faenza, she won silver in qualification and became Italian Indoor Champion. In July 2023, she was called to the national team and won a silver medal at the World Championships in Plzeň in pairs with Pellizzari, beaten only by the Chinese pair who set a new world record in the Double W1 category. In 2024, she won gold in qualifications and silver in the final with Pellizzari in Novara.

Reader's Guide

Daila Dameno's career demonstrates versatility across three Paralympic sports, achieving podium finishes in both winter and summer disciplines. Her silver and bronze medals in para-alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Paralympics place her among Italy's successful winter Paralympians. Her later transition to para-archery in 2022, and rapid rise to a world championship silver medal in pairs the following year, highlights her adaptability and competitive consistency. The silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Plzeň, in the Double W1 category with Asia Pellizzari, was notable as the only pair to be beaten by the Chinese team that set a new world record. Her indoor national title in Italy further underscores her proficiency with the compound bow. Dameno's achievements across swimming, skiing, and archery illustrate a sustained high-level athletic career spanning two decades, marked by international representation and medal success in multiple Paralympic Games and world championships.

Did You Know?

• She began para-archery in 2022 and won a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in pairs.
• At the 2004 Summer Paralympics, she competed in swimming events including the 200 m freestyle S5.