Mayra Aguiar Considers the Pan as a Good Preview to the 2016 Olympics

Last year’s world champion, the 23 year-old athlete wants to take the opportunity of the Pan American Games in Toronto in order to get ready for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian judo goes with its maximum strength to compete in the Pan American Games Toronto 2015. And the half-heavyweight Mayra Aguiar, last year’s world champion, wants to take the opportunity of this competition in order to prepare for the Olympic Games. It must be reminded that one of the athlete’s biggest opponents is the American Kayla Harrison.

In an interview given during the "SporTV Reporter" program, the 23-year-old recalled her experience when competing in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2007. The judoka considers that the bronze won at the London Olympics in 2012 was the result of having fought in the Pan American.

"It was one of the greatest experiences I've had in my early career, especially at home. The Pan already gives an insight of the Olympics. It was very important to participate in these Games. The medal won in London was for sure their outcome, "Mayra Aguiar said.

Winning a medal at the Pan makes an athlete become more targeted by his/her opponents. Mayra was silver-awarded in the 2007 Pan edition and bronze four years later, in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"The whole media around the competition puts athletes under pressure. I will go very focused and you get some experience from each competition. When one wins a title such as a world champion, one gets targeted. But while they target me, I target them as well.  The main point is getting there self-confident, "she added.

*Based on news from SporTV.com. The full article can be read on http://sportv.globo.com/site/programas/sportv-nas-olimpiadas/noticia/2015/01/judoca-mayra-aguiar-ve-pan-como-boa-previa-para-olimpiada-de-2016.html