Brazilians Know Their Opponents in the Grand Prix of Havana
The Grand Prix of Havana, the first event that will worth ranking points, which qualifies for Olympics 2016, begins this Friday, June 6th. And this afternoon the opponents of the 15 Brazilians were known at the drawing. In the first day the women’s extra-lightweight (48kg), half lightweight (52kg) and lightweight (57kg) categories and the men’s extra-lightweight (60kg) and lightweight (66kg) categories will compete. Brazil will be represented by Sarah Menezes (48kg), Gabriela Chibana (48kg), Erika Miranda (52kg), Raquel Silva (52kg), Eric Takabatake (60kg) and Diego Santos (60kg).
Head-key among the women’s extra-lightweight judokas, the Olympic champion Sarah Menezes starts to fight first against the Cuban Lisa in the quarter-finals. The young Gabriela Chibana will participate in her first fight against the Cuban Celia Maria Laborde, the current world number 8th. In respect of the half lightweight category, Brazil will also be represented by a head-key. Erika Miranda will fight against the winner of the dispute between the Chinese Yingnan Ma and the Israeli Roni Schwartz. Raquel Silva will face the promising French judoka, Amandine Buchard, bronze-awarded at the last Grand Slam of Paris.
In the men’s categories, the two Brazilian athletes fight in the light category. Diego Santos, fourth best ranked, waits for the winner of the fight between the Canadian Charles Breton-Leduc and the Cuban Javier Pena. Eric Takabatake, placed 25th in the world rankings, did not need either to compete in the first round and will face whoever wins the confrontation between the Argentinian Nehuen Melita and the Mozambican Neuso Sigauque.
On Saturday, Brazil will be represented by Leandro Cunha (73kg), Marcelo Contini (73kg), Victor Penalber (81kg), Katherine Campos (63kg) and Barbara Timo (70kg). And on Sunday, Tiago Camilo (90kg), Renan Nunes (100kg), Hugo Pessanha (100kg), Walter Santos (+100 kg). The registration has been confirmed by 297 athletes, 154 men and 143 women from 40 countries. The Grand Prix of Havana is worth 300 points for the first place, 180 for the second and 120 for the third. The fights in the Sports City Coliseum begin at 10 am and those for medals at 6 pm, Brasília Time. The SporTV is broadcasting the event.
