Brazil Defeats Cuba in the First Test of the International Contest
With three ippons in the lighter categories, out team defeated their opponents by four to one. On Saturday, the men’s team will face the Hungarians whereas the women’s the Spanish judokas.
A big party to receive two of the greatest judo nations. The Municipal Gymnasium from Queimados hosted an excited audience who had many reasons to celebrate. After all, Brazil gave no chance to Cuba and won the first round of the International Contest by four to one. On Saturday, at the same venue, starting from eleven a.m, the second part of the tournament will be held. The men will face Hungary and the women the Spanish. The event was a test for the World Championship from Rio de Janeiro that will take place from August the 26th to September the 1st at Maracanãzinho.
\"I think this event was very important because the competition by teams has a different emotional charge. Our team is a mixed one: one of its members, Gabriel Pinheiro, is still a Junior. Cuba was the favourite team because they came with athletes that are likely to participate in the World Championship. So I was happy with the very good result, but that does not reflect the level of the Cuban judo, “said Ney Wilson, the Performance Director of BJC’s Senior Teams.
In the first fight, Daniel Hernandes (+90 kg) was applied a yuko by Oscar Brayson, the twelfth in the world. Eduardo Santos (90kg) defeated Yerlandi Echemendia for having a penalty less than his opponent. And in the last three fights three ippons made a Brazilian show. Mauro Moura (81kg) threw Jorge Martinez, Marcelo Contini (73kg) defeated Magdiel Calá and the young Gabriel Pinheiro (66kg) put Gilberto Armas on his back.
\"I think this kind of competition is very interesting. It’s a shame I couldn’t do my best but I was really crossing the fingers for my teammates. It\'s good to see that younger athletes are doing a great job,\" said the experienced Daniel Hernandes.
\"It was a tough fight against the Pan American vice-champion and I luckily managed to defeat him because I did not want to go in the final fight against Gabriel Pinheiro. It’s good that he did not feel the pressure either and so he managed to defeat his opponent. I will keep my fingers crossed that on Sunday the score be five to zero, \"said Marcelo Contini.
The opening of the International Contest was made by the President of the Judo Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Francisco Grosso. The event was also attended by the Municipal Secretary of Sports, Tourism and Leisure, Luiz Carlos Monteiro, and the mayor of Queimados, Max Lemos.
\"It is a clear demonstration that Baixada can produce large international events. We are very proud to have been chosen by the Brazilian Judo Confederation. We hope that this event will inspire the emergence of new talents, \"said the mayor.
After the international competition, a State Contest was held between the athletes of the projects Brazil Deserves Gold and Reação Institute. The latter won the friendly competition by three to two.
