He claimed seven golds at the Para National Games in Colombia, rounding off a fantastic 2019 that also saw him taking four Parapan titles in Lima, Peru.

The trained massage therapist is fully focused on competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, starting on August 25.

Giraldo was a convincing winner, having received 91 per cent of the public vote.

Congratulations to Daniel Giraldo for being nominated as the athlete of the month for the Americas! He won 91 percent of the vote for the swimmer’s amazing 7 gold medal victory at the Para National Games in Colombia. We applaud him for his amazing achievement! pic.twitter.com/19wpAgNFJV

— Special Needs Special People (@SpecialNeedsSp2) January 17, 2020

Mexican table tennis player Victor Reyes finished second.

Nordic skier Kendall Gretsch of the United States was also nominated.

Nominations are compiled by National Paralympic Committees from across the Americas before the public vote.

Chilean athlete Francisca Mardones won the award in November.