Brazil Beats Argentina in the International Contest Held in Belo Horizonte
The team composed of two women and three men are merciless with their “hermanos” and they defeat them by five to zero. The crowd packs the Minas Tennis Club gym and stars the show.
As if it were the World Cup, Brazil scored against Argentina in the International Judo Contest, held in the Minas Tennis Club gymnasium, from Belo Horizonte. There were five victories and four of them by ippon. The event was the opening of BH 360o, coordinated by the City Hall of the capital of Minas Gerais state. This place which will feature events of more than 20 different sports and aims to encourage the practice of sports in the city. The news was that the event was played by teams formed of two women and three men.
“Since the beginning, this event was successful because it was built by many hands. It represents the partnership between the BJC and Mineira Judo Federation, an extremely healthy one that allows us create this favorable environment to everyone involved, " Luiz Augusto Teixeira said.
" I am a little bit sad because I wished Paul were here. But it is very important to host an international event in the opening of the BH 360o. The purpose of this place is turning the city into the capital of extreme sports as well as of all sports, judo being one of them. BJC deserves congratulations for the organization, "said Márcio Lacerda, the mayor of Belo Horizonte.
The BH 360o’s opening ceremony was led by the president of the City Council from Belo Horizonte, Leo Burguês. Representatives of 21 different sports were invited to the event. After thanking for everybody’s attendance, the Councilman stirred the crowd reminding the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina, two countries with a great sports tradition.
" May 31st is a special day for Belo Horizonte, because in the next 9 days the city will become the capital of extreme sports and adventure. And you are our special guests! Now, let's start the event by defeating Argentina here. Brazil, Brazil, Brazil , " Leo Burguês said.
The Olympic medalist Rafael Silva was responsible for declaring the BH 360o open.
"There will be thousands of athletes gathered at various events throughout the programming. And it's an honor to be opening this event judo. I hope you have fun at this great sports festival" said the bronze medalist from London 2012.
The fights began at 01:00 p.m. and the first to enter the mat was Erika Miranda. And she showed she was eager to win because within just 30 seconds of fighting she managed to apply an ippon to Andrea Cayún.
"I really enjoyed taking part in this event. It was good training for my club, my friends as well as being surrounded by some of my relatives. Cuba is very different from a Contest but I am quite confident and this is very good. Now I have to seek the next gold medal , "said Erika Miranda, referring to the next weekend’s Grand Prix of Havana.
The next winner was Ketleyn Quadros who fought against the promising young Argentinian judoka, Paula Delfino. She managed to immobilize her counterpart in the first minute and twenty seconds. Charles Chibana was responsible for claiming the Brazilian victory by three to zero when he applied an ippon on Martin Laureano. The leader of the world ranking in the half lightweight category ( 66kg ) used the soil technique for his victory after throwing the opponent twice by the minimum score (yuko).
"It was a new and very rewarding experience. It was very nice to see the gym packed, Belo Horizonte deserves congratulations! I'm coming back from a very strong training in Japan and I felt good to be participating in such a competition, " Chibana said.
In the lightweight category, Francisco Cuneo was a little bit harder to defeat by Bruno Mendonça, but eventually he could not remain invincible and so was he immobilized. Before that, he had been projected twice by yuko and wazari. In the end of the Contest, the confrontation that promised to be more balanced between the current Junior Pan American champion, Ivan Duarte and Gustavo Assis, bronze-awarded in the same event, was not so challenging for the Brazilian. The Argentinian was trown by Gustavo three times - once by wazari and twice by yuko.
"Ivan is a very strong opponent, I already knew him. I have fought against him other times and I have never won. I started being more aggressive, anticipating his movements in order to control the fight. I fit a blow and then I just kept me ahead, “said Gustavo, who had his family’s and mates’ support.
When the referee signaled the Brazilian’s victory, the other four athletes invaded the mat very cheerful. In the stands, it was not different. The crowd, mostly young people and children, proved themselves very creative and cheered the Brazilians and discouraged their opponents. At the end of the fighting, they had a well-deserved reward and took lots of pictures with the idols of national judo. In the coaches’ point of view, the event was positive for everyone.
"It's very positive for Argentina because it allows these young people who do not have much international experience to feel what is like a gym cheering against, while they are fighting against top world athletes. In addition, they experienced a structure uncommon elsewhere in the world. And I've traveled a lot as an athlete. It was a very beautiful and colorful event, "said Ariel Sganga, the Argentinian coach .
" First, it is a privilege to lead the national team in an event like this. It was easier because it has a harmony, a very great rapport. We get nervous when they are struggling but when we see that we are a real team, “said Mario Sabino, the responsible for the Brazilian team.
The Team’s next appointment is the Grand Prix of Havana, held next weekend. Brazil will be represented by Eric Takabatake ( 60kg ) , Diego Santos ( 60kg ) , Leandro Cunha ( 73kg ) , Marcelo Contini ( 73kg ) , Victor Penalber ( 81kg ) , Tiago Camilo ( 90kg ) , Renan Nunes ( 100kg ) , Hugo Pessanha ( 100kg ) , Walter Santos ( +100 kg ) , Gabriela Chibana ( 48kg ) , Sarah Menezes ( 48kg ) , Raquel Silva ( 52kg ) , Erika Miranda ( 52kg ) , Katherine Campos ( 63kg ) and Barbara Timo ( 70kg ) .
