Brazil Scores Two Gold Medals and Leaves the Miami Pan American Open with Seven Awards

Brazil won seven medals in Miami Pan American Open, held on Friday and Saturday. On the first day, there were four medals: two gold won by Allan Kuwabara (60kg) and Eleudis Valentim (52kg), silver awarded to Gabriela Chibana (48kg) and a bronze to Katherine Campos (63kg). Today, the second and final day of competition, three medals were won. Eduardo Bettoni (90kg) and Hugo Pessanha (100kg) took the gold, while Daniel Barboza (+100 kg) won silver.

After the bronze won in the 2013 edition, Eduardo Bettoni (90kg) made three fights this time to get the gold. In the qualifiers he overcame the Brazilian Nacif Elias - the third placed in the category – who is currently representing Lebanon. In the second edition, Eduardo Silva defeated the Portuguese Celio Dias, reaching the middleweight decision. The gold came after the ippon (perfect stroke) applied to the Canadian Brandon Jobb.

“Champion in Miami Open! I would like to thank everyone who helps and helped me at this stage! I want to always climb the steps! “the athlete wrote on his Facebook page.

The second gold of the day was brought by Hugo Pessanha (100kg). The Brazilian, bronze awarded in 2013, also made three matches. After defeating the American Kedge Zawack, he overcame his teammate João Gabriel Schlittler in the semifinal whereas in the semifinal he defeated the Mexican Sergio Garcia by ippon and secured the gold medal.

In the heavyweight (+100 kg) category, in which Gabriel Barboza competes, the system was round robin (everybody against everybody). Barboza was defeated by the American Akbarzhan Iminov and by the Mexican Jose Cuevas. However, he defeated the Canadian Ignacio Rodriguez. The Brazilian took home the silver medal.

Dennis Barbosa (81kg) and João Gabriel Schlittler reached the competition for the bronze medal, but they were defeated by the Dominican Marcos Figuereo and the American Andrew Jacobs, respectively, and finished the competition in fifth place.

Ricardo Serrao (81kg) and Nadia Merli (70kg) fought today, but ended up leaving the competition early.

The Brazilian athletes were joined by the Performance Director and head of delegation, Ney Wilson, the coach Rosicleia Campos and the physiotherapist Fabio Minutti.

Check out the summaries attached.