Brazil Wins the Silver Medal for the First Time in the World Judo Team Championships
Brazilian women’s team are defeated in the final by their Japanese counterparts, but they bring the best result in the history of the national judo. The Brazilian delegation leaves the World Judo Championships Rio 2013 with the largest number of medals
On the last day of the World Judo Championships of Rio de Janeiro (01/09) the long-awaited gold in the team competition did not come, but the silver medal of the Brazilian judokas brought the best result from the country\'s history in the tournament; before that, the team’s biggest outcome was the bronze medal conquered at the World Judo Championships Salvador in 2012. In the final, the Brazilian team faced the Japanese rival in a thrilling duel. The fights were extremely tough, but the local team was eventually defeated by 3-2. On the other hand, the men’s team did not have a good performance; they were eliminated by Germany’s in the first round. The Georgian male team was the great champion.
\"The gold medal did not come, but we showed that we are close to winning it, and we\'re on top of the world judo. I am very proud of my team, we fought until the end. Now we have to think about the next competition in which we will try to get in the first place, “said Rafaela Silva.
In the first fight of the final round, (up-to- 52 kg athletes) Erika Miranda was immobilized by Yuki Hashimoto. Then, Rafaela Silva (up-to- 57 kg ) faced Anzu Yamamoto and won by a yuko. Katherine Campos (up –to-63 kg) tried but failed to overcome Kana Abe’s floor technique and she was eventually immobilized by her rival. Maria Portela ( 70kg ) came soon after , and with her usual great determination, she won over Haruka Tachimoto with two Shidos . The decision was between Maria Suelen Altheman and Megumi Tachimoto. The Brazilian fought to the end, but she was defeated by a punishment.
\"When we step on the tatami we have to overcome everything. I am very determined and I try to transmit it to my team. When I lost, they encouraged me and this last fight was the opposite. We are a real team. We weren’t lucky; maybe something better will come, who knows.” added Maria Portela.
The World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro scored Brazil’s best participation in world tournaments. There were six individual achievements, one gold, three silver and two bronze, and silver medal in the team competition.
“The evaluation is very positive. Seven medals, five finals, a historical result for the female judo; women are the biggest winner of this world judo championship. The girls carried on their mission perfectly. The boys did their best, but the victory was the girls’. They are the powerful ones, \"joked Paul Wanderley Teixeira, the president of the Brazilian Judo Confederation ( BJC ).
In terms of sports events, the World Championship in Rio de Janeiro was as good as the Brazilian delegation. There were several “medals” won.
\"Three years ago, when we started planning this event, we never imagined that we would reach this point. A final round between Brazil and Japan, with a crowded Maracanãzinho, and television, radio and live internet broadcasting to the whole world. All the organization members did their best, the BJC’s president believed in this project and there is the outcome. I think it was the best way for judo. This championship will be a milestone in the history of the Brazilian sport, \"said Mauricio Santos, the President of the Organizing Committee of the World Judo Championship of Rio de Janeiro.
Results of the World Judo Team Championship
Male
1st - Georgia
2nd - Russia
3rd - Germany
3rd - Japan
Female
1st - Japan
2nd - Brazil
3rd - France
3rd – Cuba
