Brazil starts at Tokyo Grand Slam this Friday

The Brazilian Judo Team will dispute starting this Friday (11) the Tokyo Grand Slam, in Japan, which is the last event of the International Federation World Circuit. The Tokyo Grand Slam will receive 45 countries and 417 judokas. Brazil will be represented by Felipe Kitadai (-60kg), Leandro Cunha (-66kg), Leandro Guilheiro (-81kg), Hugo Pessanha (-90kg), Luciano Corrêa (-100kg), Leonardo Leite (-100kg), Walter Santos (+100kg), Sarah Menezes (-48kg), Erika Miranda (-52kg), Raquel Silva (-52kg), Ketleyn Quadros (-57kg), Danielli Yuri (-63kg), Mariana Silva (-63kg), Mayra Aguiar (-78kg) and Maria Suellen (+78kg).

According to the schedule from the organization of the Tokyo Grand Slam, fighting Friday (11) are the judokas from the -60kg, -66kg, -78kg and +78kg categories. On Saturay (12) the judokas from the -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -70kg and -63kg categories compete. Finally, on Sunday it’s time for the -100kg, +100kg, -57kg, -52kg and -48kg athletes.

At the event will be importante names of the judo world like the Olympian Masto Uchishiba (JPN), the world Champion Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar (MGL) and the also world champion Kyu-Won Lee (KOR). Amongst the women, the Colombian world Champion Yuri Alvear is one of the highlights of the competition. At the grand slams there are no repechages and the world medal is worth 300 points in the world ranking.

“I still need to get to know the international judokas of this category better and it is my first experience abroad as a -81kg. It was a challenge that put upon myself and the Tokyo Grand Slam is going to be the parameter for all the work I do from now on”, said the Olympic medalist Leandro Guilheiro.

Like Guilheiro, other judokas are using the Tokyo Grand Slam as thermometer for the challenges of the 2010 season.

“This is the moment to have more experiences, find you fight style and discover the path to win point in the world ranking. My expectations for this competitions are good”, guaranteed Mayra Aguiar, who after going up from the -70kg to the -78kg category won the bronze medal at the World Championship U-20.