Mariana Silva Wins the Gold at Barbados Pan American Cup

Mariana Silva became the champion of the half middleweight category at Barbados Pan American Cup. The athlete of Minas Tennis Club had to win three fights before getting the gold. She defeated the Ecuadorian Estefania Garcia, the current Pan American champion, by wazari. In the semifinal, she managed to overcome the Guatemalan Yennifer Dominguez by ippon and in the final she won the fight against the Mexican Andrea Gutierrez who was disqualified due to four penalties.

"I’m glad to have helped the Brazilian Team get qualified to the Pan American Games 2015 in the half middleweight category and I’m happy that I’ve managed to win my fights," said Mariana.

Each athlete’s performance at Barbados Pan American Cup worth points for the Pan American Ranking, added to the country. The five best placed countries in each category will automatically reach Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

Tomorrow is Bárbara Timo’s and Karol Gimenes’s turn to defend the Brazilian colors in the middleweight category. Barbara fights first against Santos from Honduras whereas Karol Rodriguez faces a Venezuelan rival. As they are on opposite sides of the keys, there may be a green and yellow confrontation. They are joined by the coach Rosicleia Campos.