After the Silver from 2013, Rafael Silva Wants Rematch against Teddy Riner
There are ten days left before the World of Chelyabinsk and the Brazilian team is training in France, being daily monitored by the multidisciplinary team composed of a psychologist, a nutritionist, a physical trainer, a physiotherapist and a strategist. The acclimation in Paris will be lasting until next Thursday, August 21st, when all of them board to Russia. Every pre-competition preparation stage was planned until tiny details so that the goals drawn by the technical staff can be reached. And there is also someone who has the goal clearly defined in his mind: the heavyweight athlete, Rafael Silva.
The 25 year-old judoka, Rafael Silva, has as a background a bronze medal won in London 2012 Olympics and a silver one in the World Championship 2013. Besides, he is also the current leader of the world ranking. He has the same goal this year: reaching the highest place on the podium. Consequently, he has to beat the French six-time world champion Teddy Riner. Last year the Brazilian judoka lost in the final against Riner and so he won the silver medal. This year, the judoka from Mato Grosso wants a rematch.
With 700 points less than Rafael, Riner is the fourth placed in the world rankings. Both of them will be head-keys and therefore they may only face in the final. "Reaching the World Judo Championship as the first ranked is good because theoretically you can take an easier key and thus I have to fight against Riner only in the final. My goal is, of course, getting again in the decision, but this time, be better than my opponent. I train every day for this, "said the heavyweight athlete.
Rafael Silva enters the mats on August 30th, the day of the heavy fighting, both male and female, while the other judokas are divided along the other five days of competition.
