Breno Viola Joins the Delegation that Will Represent Brazil at Judo for All in Holland

The team that will represent Brazil in the Dutch stage of the Judo for All program has a new member. Therefore, Breno Viola (Flamengo/RJ, Down syndrome), was confirmed this week as the fourth athlete composing the delegation. The other representatives are Yves Dupont (SOGIPA / RS, Down syndrome), Nicola Sasso (SION/RJ, Smith Magenis Syndrome ) and Antonio Lima (SION/RJ, X Fragile Syndrome). Professor Ricardo Lucio will be the coach and the head of delegation. The Brazilian Judo Confederation is providing to athletes all the necessary sports equipment.

Breno Viola, one of the protagonists of the "The Mates" movie, has got several important titles by now. In 2002 he became the first American with Down syndrome who got a black belt. Four years later, he won the title of the Italian edition from the Judo For All program in his category and he got the third place in the Absolute category. In 2007, he won again the gold in the event. In 2011, he was fourth ranked in the Special Olympics Summer Games. In the past, he reached the third Dan and in 2013 he took the bronze in the Italian stage of Judo For All .

The team board on Tuesday, 12/11, to Venary, where they will compete next weekend (16/11 and 17/11) in the seventh edition of the International Tournament Shenshu, another stage within the Judo for All program. The purpose of the tournament is that athletes with intellectual disabilities be included in the competitive environment, especially in judo. In Paralympic Games, this sport is practiced just by judokas with some degree of visual impairment. The competition is organized by Sportinstituut Verhagen and occurs every two years.

"The purpose of the event is make the participants develop their self-confidence, self-esteem, overcome their limits and live together in the group, contributing to a better society," said Ricardo Lucio.

A Brazilian delegation is sent to the event because it is an opportunity for acquiring knowledge on the work with the G-Judo, building a network with teachers and student, bringing new work methodologies and collaborating for the development of Special Judo in Brazil.