Brazil Conquers Two Silver Medals on the Sixth Day of the World Judo Championship
Rafael Silva and Maria Suelen Altheman are overcome in the final by Teddy Riner and Idalyz Ortiz, but they win the silver and help the Brazilian delegation break the medal record in world championships
In the last individual dispute of the World Judo Championship Rio 2013, Brazil won two more medals. Fighting in the heavyweight category ( + 100 kg male , +78 kg female) , Rafael Silva and Maria Suelen Altheman conquered two silver medals and helped the Brazilian delegation get more than five medals as happened in 2011, during the World Judo Championship from Paris. The champions of this category were two judokas who are already in the hall of the greatest judokas of all times. Among men, the French Teddy Riner won his sixth title world. Regarding women, the Cuban Idalyz Ortiz added her world title to the Olympic one.
In the male long awaited final, Rafael Silva, bronze-awarded in the London Olympics, faced the myth Teddy Riner, gold medalist in the Olympics 2012. The French used all his talent and won the duel of giants.
\"I started the fight decided to do my best and of course that I am sad because of my defeat . It\'s hard to lose at home against my biggest rival, but I know it was a good result for my country and for my career. The crowd was essential in a moment when one was feeling threatened, losing a fight. I believe that the sports fans will be even more interested in judo by Olympics Rio 2016 and this will greatly help our team,\" said Rafael Silva, silver awarded at the World Judo Championship Rio 2013.
Even if he is today’s best judoka and perhaps of the sports history, Teddy Riner did not hide his happiness on being the champion of another world event.
\"First of all I want to say that I feel very well in Rio de Janeiro. It was here that I won my first world championship (2007) and I won a gold medal. I love these people’s energy. This conquest was special, I had several injuries in 2013, it had been a difficult year for me. But this title, in front of this audience and my family, will be remembered forever.\" celebrated Teddy Riner .
Concerning the women, Maria Suelen Altheman made a thrilling semi-final against the French Emilie Andeol. However, in the final against the current Olympic champion, the Brazilian could not repeat her previous performance and ended up losing by ippon.
\"I\'m happy with my performance in this world championship and I think I just have to keep self-developing. I can imagine how to defeat Ortiz, but when fighting I am full of adrenaline. Now I have to watch the video of the fight, talk to the BJC’s technical commission who are doing a great strategic job and correct my mistakes, “said Maria Suelen Altheman .
The Cuban Idalyz Ortiz, the current Olympic champion, did not hide her happiness with the world title.
\"These are the biggest tournaments of the world and I am the champion of both of them. I enjoyed competing here in Rio, I had already competed in 2007, but I always feel a very good energy. Besides the medal, I\'ll bring Cuba a statue of Christ the Redeemer, “Idalyz Ortiz told.
Apart from the heavy weights, the half heavyweight athletes will compete today as well. The champion of the category was the judoka of Azerbaijan, Elkhan Mamadov, who overcame the Dutch Henk Grol in the final.
On Sunday, September 1st, the team competition will happen. Both in male and female, Brazil will face the German team .
Ranking:
Heavyweight male.
1st - Teddy Riner ( FRA )
2nd - Rafael Silva ( BRA )
3rd - Andreas Toelzer ( ALE )
3rd - Faicel Jaballah ( TUN )
Female
1st - Idalyz Ortiz ( CUB )
2nd - Maria Suelen Altheman ( BRA )
3rd - Jung Eun Lee ( KOR)
3rd - Megumi Tachimoto ( JAP )
Half Heavyweight
1st - Elkhan Mamadov ( AZE )
2nd - Henk Grol ( NED)
3rd - Dimitri Peters (GER)
3 - Krpalek Lukas (CZE)
