The annual event showcases the best disability shooting talent from North and South America with 77 athletes across seven different nations taking part.

The Minister was among a wide range of guests attending the opening day of the event and he was able to see the first gold medal of the competition awarded to Brazil's Geremias Soares in the 10 metre air gun category

Rebelo explained the importance of events like these and outlined the support that the Ministry of Sports is giving to Paralympic disciplines three years ahead of Rio 2016.

"The Federal Government has expanded its partnership with the Brazilian Paralympic Committee," he said

"It is investing in sports as well as in the construction of equipment, including the construction of the Paralympic Training Centre in São Paulo and I believe these will be great assets to Brazil."

Rebelo also described how important hosting and competing in events such as the Brazilian Shooting Open are as they "enable us to improve social inclusion in this country and ensure that people with disabilities have access to sports."

He added: "Then we will be able to select high performance athletes like those who are here today."

Brazil's Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo greets Geremias Soares after his victory in the 10 metre air gun category in the Brazilian Shooting Open Championship

Brazil won 43 medals, including 21 gold at London 2012, but enjoyed most of their success in sports such as athletics and swimming rather than shooting.

In fact not a single North or South American country won a shooting medal in London and the two continents were represented by only five competitors.

This event is therefore a chance to raise the profile and parallels were drawn with a corresponding International Wheelchair Fencing Open Championship in São Paulo in 2011.