Rafaela Silva Is World Judo Champion in the Lightweight Category
The Brazilian judoka defeats her American opponent, Marti Malloy, in the final fight; she wins the gold and becomes the first Brazilian getting the world title. The Japanese Shohei Ono is the male champion.
This day will be remembered forever in the Brazilian sport’s history. Rafaela Silva won this Wednesday, August 28th, the first world judo title for Brazil. The judoka applied an ippon to the American Marti Malloy, in the final fight, and to the current leader of the ranking, Automne Pavia, in the semifinal. Supported by around five thousand fans crowded at Maracanãzinho, Rafaela won the third Brazilian medal, which happened to be the first gold. The Slovenian Vlora Bedeti and the German Myriam Roper were bronze awarded. Concerning the male athletes, the Japanese Shohei Ono got the gold medal. The French Ugo Legrand got the silver. Dirk Van Tichelt from Belgium and Dex Elmont from the Netherlands won the bronze.
\"I\'m here today because the victory does not depend on color nor money. It depends on how much you want it. I am not fully aware that I am the world champion and that I am writing the history of the Brazilian judo,\" said Rafaela Silva.
The judoka is the outcome of the Reação Institute, an NGO created by the judoka Flavio Canto, in Cidade do Deus, a poor area of Rio de Janeiro. Besides Flávio, Professor Geraldo Bernardes is one of the creators of the project and it was he who discovered Rafaela’s talent.
\"When she was a child, she was very naughty, she just wanted to fly kites, play football and fight on the street. That is why her father took her to train. When she was eight years old, she began practicing and she revealed an innate talent for this sport; her aggressiveness could be used on the mat. This title has been showing since the Olympics because she had all potential of being a champion. If there is something right in sports, this is Rafaela’s title,\" said Geraldo Bernardes, Rafaela Silva‘s first judo teacher.
Another person who got very thrilled with the Brazilian judoka’s conquest was the coach of the National Team, Rosicleia Campos. While celebrating, Rosi remembered Rafaela’s humble origins and will.
\"She is a warrior on and off the mat. This world title is more than deserved. Both Rafaela and all the staff supporting the athletes deserve congratulations. Long live Rafaela and the Brazilian judo!\" celebrated Rosicleia Campos.
Two more Brazilian judokas fought this Wednesday. Ketleyn Quadros was eliminated in the second fight by the North American Marti Malloy whereas Bruno Mendonça started well the competition, but was defeated by the Belarusian Aliaksei Ramanchyk in his second fight as well.
On Thursday, the half middleweight athletes (- 81 kg for men and - 63kg for women) will fight. Brazil’s representatives are Victor Penalber and Katherine Campos.
