National Interclub Grand Prix Has Been Putting Great World Judo Champions Face to Face for Ten Years
The main competition from the Brazilian calendar will be attended next weekend, in Sao Paulo, by the male team. The women’s team competes in Porto Alegre from November 23rd to November 24th.
It has been 10 years since the National Interclub Grand Prix has been putting face to face great judo world champions in competitions organized in São Paulo and Porto Alegre. The men\'s tournament will be held next weekend, from November 16th to November 17th, at the gym of the greatest male champion, Esporte Clube Pinheiros from São Paulo. On the other side, the female contest occurs from November 23rd to November 24th at Sogipa, the home club of one of the major female champions.
This is an opportunity to see the judokas fighting for Brazil competing against their rivals, including almost all those who competed in the World Judo Championships from Rio de Janeiro, such as the awarded athletes Erika Miranda (Minas/MG), Rafaela Silva (Reação Institute/RJ), Mayra Aguiar (Sogipa/RS), Maria Suelen Altheman (Pinheiros/SP) and Rafael Silva (Pinheiros /SP). The Olympic medalists Felipe Kitadai (Sogipa /RS) and Ketleyn Quadros (Minas /MG) are on the list as well. The great foreign athletes such as the world champions Asley Gonzalez and Idalys Ortiz were hired by Minas and will defend the club in the competition. Considering the high technical level and the rivalry between the clubs, the competition started in 2003 has become the prime event in the national calendar over the last decade.
\"It is a competition technically high leveled. Since it is a contest by teams, the Grand Prix brings also a very important emotional factor, more visible than in other competitions, \"analyzed the National Events Manager of the Brazilian Judo Confederation, Robnelson Ferreira .
An excited audience, fervent avenues, well-prepared athletes and strong rivalries, all this is contributing to make the event special.
\"Our fans, more than any others, push the team to achieve great results.\" said Antonio Pereira, \"Kiko \", a judo coach and coordinator from Sogipa.
“The crowd is really an additional fuel in the most difficult moments, driving the athletes to do their best and reminding them that their victory belongs to everyone “says Floriano Almeida, a judo coach and coordinator from Minas Tennis Club.
Making the members from the National Judo Team compete against each other, the Grand Prix shows the importance of the sports spirit within judo.
“We are usually on the same side, fighting for the national team. During the Grand Prix, it is not the same. We are kidding \"I will defeat your team\", \"get prepared\" ... This makes the competition even stronger. The pride of the medal or defeating your mate is a source for jokes for a long time, \"says the vice - champion from the 52kg-category at the World Championships from 2013 in Rio, Erika Miranda.
“It’s a healthy rivalry and it ends on the mat,\" says Charles Chibana, the five-time-champion from Pinheiros. “We are very focused on this Grand Prix. Being a champion for your club, at home has a special taste. The Grand Prix has always been one of my big goals, \"added the half –lightweight athlete.
PROGRAMMING
National Grand Prix – Male
Venue: Pinheiros Sports Club/SP
16/11
09h00: first stage
16h00: second stage
17/11
11h30: finals (live broadcast on SporTV)
National Grand Prix – Female
Venue: Sogipa Gym/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
2006: AD São Caetano/SP
2008: AD São Caetano/SP
2009: Sogipa/RS
2010: Sogipa/RS
2011: Minas TC/MG
2012: CR Flamengo/RJ
