A Day after the Gold
Rafaela Silva has a busy agenda after her historical gold medal
Whoever may think that the fights after winning the gold are less tough than those before reaching the podium is wrong. After winning the World title, Rafaela Silva had to face opponents as complex or even more than those defeated on the mat. Soon after her fight for gold, she had to give some interviews to official broadcasters before the medal ceremony. Afterwards, hundreds of journalists were waiting for the first Brazilian female world champion in the mixed zone. The press conference lasted until around 20h00. After leaving Maracanãzinho, she had a little party with her friends from the Reação Institute and mainly with her mentor Geraldo Bernardes.
Waking up late the next morning? No way! At seven o’clock, a car was waiting for her in front of the hotel where the Brazilian delegation was accommodated. She had to go to a studio in Barra da Tijuca, located in the western area of Rio de Janeiro. Then, she went to the south area of the city, where she took part in another live TV program. After its end, she rushed to Maracanãzinho where she had two more appointments: a press conference promoting the Brazil Awards Plan created by the Ministry of Sports, since she is one of the athletes granted the Podium Scholarship; after that, she went to Sadia’s stand , BJC’s sponsor and her own as well. Meanwhile, she stopped in the Arena’s mixed zone for some shorts interviews.
“The good part is receiving my fans’ affection and being recognized on street. What I dislike is having to give so many interviews, “Rafaela Silva laughed.
In Maracanãzinho she stopped to watch the fight for medals of the middleweight category. In the late afternoon, she took part in one more live program. After this, she would have a well-deserved rest because next Friday, August 30th, she would be training for the World Team Judo Championship on next Sunday.
\"I am very tired because the day before the fight I had slept only two hours because of my anxiety. Today I woke up early again and I have been doing many things, “said Rafaela , just before getting into the car that would take her to the hotel.
Wherever she went, whether in the media stations, in Maracanãzinho or on street, there were many photos, hugs and congratulations for her medal. A tough routine, a champion’s routine.
