The Parapan American champion was the silver medallist in the men’s up to 59 kilograms category at last month's World Para Powerlifting European Open Championships in Berck-sur-Mer in France.

"This award is an important recognition as not only Chilean people voted but people from all across the Americas who have been following my performances," Garrido said.

"It also shows how well Chile are working in Para-sports as many other athletes had also been nominated for this poll in previous months.

"Now I will focus on the Asian-Oceanian Open Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan, and the Americas Open Championships in Bogotá, Colombia."

Greece’s Paschalis Kouloumoglou took the men’s up to 59kg gold medal on countback after both he and Garrido managed 179kg.

Mexican powerlifter Perla Bárcenas finished second in the poll with 33 per cent of the votes.

She was followed by Colombian swimmer Nelson Crispin and Puerto Rican judoka Luis Perez.

Brazilian cyclist Lauro Chaman, Canadian judoka Priscilla Gagné and American swimmer Rebecca Meyers were also nominated.

The nominations are compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees from across the continent.

More than 10,000 people cast votes in the poll for May.

Argentinian swimmer Daniela Gimenez received the Americas Paralympic Committee Athlete of the Month accolade for April.