Like many Brazilians, Gabriela Guimaraes fell in love with sports, especially football, at an early age. She also tried her hand at swimming and tennis before discovering her true passion, for volleyball, when she was 14.
Her volleyball career began shortly after, when she joined Mackenzie Sports Club. Later, she transferred to Sesc Rio de Janeiro Volei Clube, where she helped the team win multiple domestic trophies in Brazil, plus four South American Championship women's titles and two Club World Championship silver medals. In 2018, Gabriela moved back to her birth city of Belo Horizonte to join Minas Tennis Clube, where she continued to shine and won another South American Club Championship crown.
The following season, Guimaraes moved to Europe and joined Turkish volleyball powerhouse VakıfBank. There, she won a bronze medal in the FIVB Club World Championship in her debut season, a silver in the subsequent year, and a gold in her third season. She helped the Turkish team win two European Champions League titles, three Turkish Cups, two Turkish Championships, and two Turkish Super Cup titles.
Gabriela Guimaraes: Rising star in the Brazilian National Team
The player often known simply as 'Gabi' has been a vital member of the Brazilian National Team since her debut. She has won several awards and medals, including a bronze at the 2014 World Championship and gold medals in the 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.
Over the years, the Brazilian has played a significant role in helping transition the national team from one generation to the next.
The Brazil squad had high hopes for the Rio 2016 tournament as they had won consecutive Olympic gold medals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. But in their home Games, Guimaraes and the national team's journey ended in the quarter-finals, losing to the Chinese team who eventually went on to win the gold medal.
The Brazilians redeemed themselves at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, reaching the final and claiming the silver medal.
The national team also took silver at the Women's Nations League tournaments in 2019, 2021, and 2022, plus the 2022 World Championships.
Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Gabi told Olympics.com: "I always dreamed about playing at the Games. I have competed at two editions and it’s a magical moment… I had the opportunity to fulfil my dream and win a silver medal. Now my dream is to become an Olympic champion and I hope to achieve that too."
