The two-time Paralympian broke the 200 metres breaststroke SB4 world record at the Spring CanAms in Edmonton, Canada

Dias, 26, swam 3min 21.36sec to take almost six seconds off the previous best set in June 2012.

To win the poll the Brazilian claimed 40 per cent of the public vote, eight per cent more than United States Nordic skier Oksana Masters who won her first IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup event in Vuokatti, Finland, in December.

Since making his international swimming debut at the 2006 World Championships in Durban, South Africa, Dias has become one of the most decorated and well-known Paralympians in the world.

Daniel Dias has been named Laureus Sportperson of the Year with a Disability in 2009 and 2013 ©Getty Images



He has won 22 medals at World Championships, including 17 gold, and having competed in two Paralympic Games - Beijing 2008 and London 2012 - has won 15 Paralympic medals, including 10 gold.

With the 200m breaststroke SB4 world record in his possession, Dias now holds 10 world records; the only one he does not hold in his class is the 50m breaststroke which is held by Germany's Thomas Grimm.

At London 2012 Dias won six gold medals, all of which came in world record times.

He was named Sportperson of the Year with a Disability in 2009 and 2013, and was an Ambassador for Rio de Janeiro's successful bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

He is set to be one of the biggest stars in home waters at Rio 2016. 

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September 2013: Paralympic champions lead 2013 IPC Sport Awards shortlists