Foreign Fresh Air Fuels Higher Goals within the National Interclub Grand Prix
Judo clubs are joined by three Cuban and German athletes. The Brazilian judokas who defend Lebanon’s and Guinea-Bissau’s colors will also attend the most important national competition.
The great international names of the tenth edition of the National Grand Prix belong to Cubans. The world champions Idalys Ortiz and Asley Gonzalez will defend Minas Tennis Club, which counts also on extremely well-prepared judokas such as the world champion, Luciano Correa, the world vice-champion, Erika Miranda, and the Olympic bronze medalist, Ketleyn Quadros. With such a cast, the club from Minas stands out as the favorite one both in male and female competitions.
“Minas will take part in the Grand Prix, having the gold in mind. Being on the podium once again will make us proud, but our goal is to be champions in both competitions, \"said Floriano Almeida, the judo coach and coordinator of Minas Tennis Club.
However, other clubs also filled the gaps in their teams with foreigners. José Armenteiros will represent SESC / BA in the heavyweight category whereas the German Anne Lisewski will step on the mat on behalf of the Reação Institute against her half-heavyweight rivals. Curiously, some Brazilians will defend the colors of other nations they are family-related, and therefore, they are considered foreigners, too. For example, the half middleweight Nacif Elias represents ebanon whereas the half- lightweight Taciana Lima competes for Guinea-Bissau, her father’s homeland. They will fight for the Reação and Sogipa Institutes /RS.
The Grand Prix Olympic has been attended previously by Olympic, World and Pan-American medalists, such as Oscar Brayson (CUB) , Yordanis Arencibia (CUB), Oscar Cardenas (CUB), Guillaume Elmont (NED) , Yuri Alvear (COL) , Emmanuel Lucenti (ARG), Miguel Albarracin (ARG), Eduardo Costa (ARG), Daniela Krukower ( ARG ) and Ludwig Ortiz ( VEN ).
“Up to two judokas out of a ten-athlete group who were especially hired for the competition are allowed to fight. One of them may be foreigner. It is a rule which makes the competition stronger and technically superior, “believes Robnelson.
The male edition of the Grand Prix will be held next weekend (November 16th to Nov. 17th ) at the Pinheiros Sports Club, in São Paulo. The women’s team compete from Nov. 23rd to 24th at SOGIPA Gymnasium , in Porto Alegre .
PROGRAMMING
National Grand Prix– Male
Venue: Pinheiros Sports Club – São Paulo/SP
16/11
09h00: First stage
16h00: Second stage
17/11
11h30: Finals (live broadcast on SporTV)
National Grand Prix - Female
Venue: Sogipa Gymnasium– Porto Alegre/RS
23/11
09h00: First stage
16h00: Second stage
24/11
14h30: Finals (live broadcast on SporTV)
CHAMPIONS
Male
2003: AD São Caetano/SP
2004: AD São Caetano/SP
2005: EC Pinheiros/SP
2006: EC Pinheiros/SP
2008: EC Pinheiros/SP
2009: Minas TC/MG
2010: AD São Caetano/SP
2011: EC Pinheiros/SP
2012: EC Pinheiros/SP
Female
2005: EC Pinheiros/SP
2006: AD São Caetano/SP
2008: AD São Caetano/SP
2009: Sogipa/RS
2010: Sogipa/RS
2011: Minas TC/MG
2012: CR Flamengo/RJ
