The 28-year-old Brazilian’s four gold, three silver and two bronze medals took his overall Paralympic tally to 24.

Dias was born with malformed upper and lower limbs and began swimming at the age of 16.

He took inspiration from watching swimmer Clodoaldo Silva, who before Dias was Brazil's most successful Paralympian, win six gold and one bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Paralympics.  

"My story is not different from other people’s stories, everyone has to face their limitations to be where they are," Dias told GQ.

"Every athlete has to surpass oneself and the same applies to me.

"Because I do not have arms and I only have one leg does not mean that I got where I got by crawling.

"My biggest legacy was to show the value of a person with impairment.

"If I could put an end to the prejudice that people with impairment cannot contribute to society, I will be satisfied."

Dias will now hope to collect the Best Male Paralympian of the Year award, handed out by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and decided by popular vote here. 

Apart from Dias, winner of the award in 2011 and 2013, football five-a-side star Jefinho and track and field athlete Petrucio Ferreira dos Santos are the two others shortlisted.

Jefinho helped Brazil claim football five-a-side gold medal at Rio 2016, while Ferreira dos Santos won gold in the 100 metres T45/46/47 and silvers in the 400m T45/46/47 and 4x100m relay T42-47.

Boccia player Evani Calado, who helped Brazil secure mixed pairs BC3 gold, features among a trio of athletes shortlisted for the Best Female Paralympian of the Year award.

She is joined by Shirlene Coelho, gold medallist in the javelin throw F37 and silver medallist in the discus throw F37/F38, and fellow track and field athlete Silvania Costa, gold medallist in the women’s long jump T11.

Voting is due to close on Wednesday (December 7), when the winners are due to announced at the 2016 Paralympic Awards gala to be held in Rio de Janeiro.