Joao Paulo Fernandes is a three-time Paralympic Games Boccia champion who has won gold medals at the last two Games.

At Athens 2004, Fernandes claimed gold medals in both the Mixed Individual BC1 and Mixed Team BC1-BC2 events.

Four years later, the Portuguese athlete followed this up with another two medals. In the Mixed Team BC1-BC2 event he won a silver medal, before overcoming fellow countryman Antonia Marques in the Mixed Individual BC1 event.