Chapecoense survivor Follmann dreams of Paralympics

Jakson Follmann has expressed a wish to return to competitive sport as he continues his recovery from the Chapecoense air disaster.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who had the lower half of his right leg amputated, walked for the first time since the November 28 crash after being fitted with a prosthesis on Wednesday.

"Walking is something that is so simple but it became a big wish," Follmann told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

"I didn't know how to react when I took my first steps and saw my mother crying. I still have a serious injury in my left foot which requires a lot of care and patience. I spent a long time in hospital and now I want to return to my normal life."

Follmann was one of six people pulled alive from the wreckage of the LaMia charter plane, which slammed into a hillside near Medellin, Colombia, on November 28 after running out of fuel.

Seventy-one people died, including 19 Chapecoense footballers and all of the club's coaching staff.

The tragedy occurred less than two days before Chapecoense, a small team from Southern Brazil, were due to play Colombia's Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the two-match Copa Sudamericana final.

Chapecoense were later declared winners of the tournament at the request of Atletico Nacional. The title means the club automatically qualifies for this year's Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition.

Follmann said he hoped to play sport again in some capacity.

"I'm curious to see what my body will allow me to do," he said. "I want to try several types of sports because everything that I have achieved is thanks to sport and football.

"I'm living day by day and I know that I need more time to see what I'm capable of doing. I'm thinking about whether I could take part in a Paralympics. I'm an athlete and I see myself as an athlete. That's going to help me in my recovery. I have positive thoughts." Endit