World record

In defeat, Guilhermina had made the headlines and highlighted the fine line between success and failure in disability sport.

"I felt literally blind in that moment, and that moment, he stopped being invisible to me," she recounted.

But it was to be expected that Guilhermina would not let that setback derail her ambitions and the very next day, still "very sore from all the previous races," she stormed to victory in the 100m in a world-record time of 12.01 seconds.

Honor was restored after the bitter disappointment of just 24 hours previously, and she and Soares de Santana shared the glory on the podium.

"We are a team. If we lose we do it together, and if we win ... we win together," she said proudly.

Despite her advancing years -- she will be pushing 38 by the time of the Rio Paralympics -- Guilhermina is absolutely determined to compete in her three events in front of home fans and achieve the hat-trick which so cruelly eluded her.

"I'm going to take care of myself so that in Rio I can win gold medals in every race I compete. I intend to do better than London when it comes to my times."

The inspiration is performing for the last time in front of her home fans and being a role model for the next generation.

"I feel honored to be an example for others," she said.

"It makes it feel worthwhile to have overcome all the challenges I have encountered so I can help others to dream and also fulfill their dreams."

Ultimate high

Guilhermina describes the award of the Summer and Paralympics Games to the Rio de Janeiro as a "gift from god" which leaves her with the opportunity to go out on the ultimate high with "unforgettable moments" which could not be topped.

Her future after running is unclear, though when she was younger she had ambitions to go into the legal profession.

Fearing that her disability would lead to being discriminated against in such a profession, Guilhermina opted for a sporting life.

"I feel like I've accomplished all my fantasies and childhood dreams," she said.

"I had nothing, now I have everything."