Felipe Kitadai and Eleudis Valentim Are World Military Champions

Sarah Menezes Is Silver-Awarded whereas Leandro Cunha Gets on the Fifth Position

Brazil wrote history on the first day of the individual tournament of the World Judo Military in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. Brazil had its best campaign in the competition’s history, conquering three medals in the extra-lightweight and half-lightweight categories. Felipe Kitadai (60kg) and Eleudis Valentim (52kg) were champions in their categories. Sarah Menezes (48kg) won the silver medal. Leandro Cunha (66kg) participated in the fight for bronze, but he ended up on the fifth position.

\"I still don’t believe it; it hasn\'t really sunk in yet. It was a very tough competition. The dream of becoming a World Military champion after so much effort and dedication has come true. I would like to thank everyone who have helped me and made this achievement possible, \"said Eleudis.

Before reaching the highest place on the podium, the half-lightweight athlete fought against Aimen Kaliyeva (KAZ) and the Finnish judoka Jaana Sundberg. In the final, she needed the golden score to defeat the Chinese Xuejie Lin. On the other hand, Felipe Kitadai fought against Kamel Haroune from Algeria and won by ippon; when he competed against Behzad Vandani from Iran, he defeated the latter by strangulation. In the final, Kitadai faced the whole crowd when he fought against home’s athlete Meirlan Baimahanbetov. But the opponent got no chance and lost the gold to the Brazilian.

The Olympic champion Sarah Menezes defeated the German athlete, Sonja Wirth, and the Polish judoka, Kinga Kubicka, but in the last fight she was defeated by the Chinese, Wu Shugen. The latter had been previously defeated by Sarah in London 2012.

\"I think it was a very positive result. Now I have to prepare for the Grand Slam from Moscow which will be held in two weeks and then for the World Championship from Rio, \"said the current leader of the World Ranking.

Leandro Cunha, another Brazilian who competed today, was very close to the medal. \"Coxa\" fought the bronze against the North Korean Yong Sik Choe,  but he was defeated and finished the competition on the fifth position.

On Sunday, the Brazilian female team had already conquered the gold medal whereas the male team the silver one. This Thursday the lightweight and half-heavyweight categories are going to compete. Brazil will be represented by Flavia Gomes (57kg), Mariana Barros (63kg), Alex Pombo (73kg) and the leader of the World Ranking Victor Penalber (81kg). The Military World Championship ends next Friday, 5/7, with the heavy categories. Maria Portela (70kg), Mayra Aguiar (78kg), Maria Suelen Altheman (+78 kg), Eduardo Santos (90kg), Luciano Correa (100kg) and Walter Santos (+100 kg) defend the Brazilian colors.

Author: Press Agency