Judokas Awarded at the World Judo Championship Rio 2013 Meet the Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral

The State’s support was crucial to the event which brought together athletes from 123 countries

The Brazilian awarded athletes at the World Judo Championships Rio 2013 met the Governor Sérgio Cabral this Monday (02/09) at Guanabara Palace, in Laranjeiras, in the southern area of ​​Rio de Janeiro. On behalf of the Brazilian Judo Confederation, they thanked for the support offered in organizing the international tournament, which ended last Sunday (1 /09); about 700 athletes from 123 countries participated in this event.

The ceremony was attended by the judoka Rafaela Silva, the first Brazilian woman who won a  gold medal in a World Judo Championship; Erika Miranda , silver medalist ; Maria Suelen Altheman (silver); Mayra Aguiar (bronze) ; Sarah Menezes ( bronze) ; Rafael Silva (silver) ; the president of the Brazilian Judo Confederation, Paulo Wanderley Teixeira ; the Secretary of Sports , André Lazaroni; and the vice- governor and Coordinator of Infrastructure, Luiz Fernando Pezão.

“We seek to encourage the judo practice and events related to this sport, because judo is a sport that brought to Brazil many outstanding performances. It\'s an Olympic star for us; we will host the Olympic Games 2016. I am very happy to have made our Maracanãzinho the host of this great event. Rio de Janeiro receiving the World event is a great achievement in itself, not to speak about the Brazilian athletes’ performances which showed their dedication and commitment. Both Rio and the whole country are proud to see this beautiful Brazilian judo, \"said Cabral, who received a gratefulness plate from the Brazilian Judo Confederation and a TV-shirt signed by the judokas of the Brazilian team.

The president of the Brazilian Judo Confederation, Paulo Wanderley Teixeira, highlighted the support offered by the State’s Government in the years before the World Judo Championship 2013.

\"We have fought for the realization of the World Judo Championship in Rio since 2009 and the State Government was the major promoter of the event, supporting and encouraging us throughout these four years. In the medal ranking, Brazil is placed on the third position, and this proves the performance of the Brazilian judo and its success will be remembered forever \"Mr. Teixeira said.

The support to the world champion through the Reação Institute

With a historic campaign in the World Judo Championship Rio 2013, Rafaela Silva , 21 , from Rio  was the first Brazilian woman winning a gold medal in a world sports tournament . Born in Cidade do Deus, in the western area of Rio, the great champion of the lightweight category (57 kg) is training at the Reação Institute, founded by the former athlete Flávio Canto to teach judo in low-income communities, and supported by the State Government.

Created in 2003, the Reação Institute teaches classes in five educational centers located in the communities of Rocinha , Pequena Cruzada, Tubiacanga and Cidade de Deus , where Rafaela trains. Currently, about a thousand young athletes, starting from the age of four, benefit from the social project.

\" At the Reação Institute, I learned everything I know about judo . This opportunity changed my life. When I\'m in Cidade de Deus, people call me to train. I find it great to see young people taking my example, “Rafaela said.

The Sports and Recreation Secretariat grants the Institute space for activities in Rocinha Sports Complex. The construction site was part of the package of the PAC ( Growth Acceleration Program ) . After the inauguration, in 2010, the institute, which has been operating in the community, started using the facilities of the site, which also houses the headquarters of the project.