The Brazilians Travel to Italy to Compete in the European Judo Tour for All
Judo has played a decisive role in the lives of many young people. Therefore, it could increase the self-esteem and independenceof judokas with different disabilities. Today , on May 6th, 10 athletes with different disabilities are traveling to Ravenna, Italy, in order to participate to a competition included in the Judo For All Brazil Project, the XII edition of the "Days of Sport as Integration and International Judo Meeting", a competition that will be held from May 8th to 11th.
The championship, which is traditional in the European Circuit Judo for All, will be disputed, besides Brazil, by six countries: Croatia, Scotland, Holland, Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom. The Brazilian delegation has been in other events from the category, but this time it will be composed of a record number of athletes and more than that, Jaqueline Xander ( APAE / PR - Carrier of Multiple Disabilities), the only and first woman to travel with the group.
Jack, as she is called by her friends, had some contact with sport as she used to practice capoeira when she was a child. Today, at 24 , she practices judo twice a week at the Association of Parents and Friends of Exceptional People from Maringa ( APAE / PR ) and she is yellow belt. She has been practicing judo for six months, this will be her first competition and she does not hide her excitement. "I'm very happy to have this opportunity, because judo is my favorite sport," she said.
Diego Correa ( APAE / PR - Carrier of Multiple Disabilities) is for the first time in the competition and she trains together with Jaque, spared no words to describe the feeling of being able to compete . "I'm going to show my best . I want everyone to see that we are able, like everyone else is. For me just being there is a big victory , "said the yellow belt.
BJC brought its support by donating sports equipment to the delegation. President Paulo Wanderley Teixeira talked about the importance of coexistence. “The important thing in this competition is not winning, but allowing them to have a personal growth through the contact with the other athletes," he said.
Last year, Judo For All participated in the championship in Ravenna with Breno Viola (CRF / RJ - Down syndrome), who was placed 3rd, and Antonio Lima (SION / RJ – X- Fragile Syndrome), who was in the 5th place. This time, in addition, Jaqueline and Diego, will be under the command of the coordinator Ricardo Lucio and the coaches Lucio Nagahama, Rogério Reis and Eurico Jr, Yves Dupont ( SOGIPA / RS - Down syndrome ), Nicola Sasso ( SION / RJ - Smith Magenis Syndrome) , Felippe Kings ( ACRE / SP - Down syndrome), Orlando Cherem ( Minas Tenis / MG -Down syndrome ), Guilherme Paiva ( SION / RJ - Syndrome down ) and João Sarno ( SION / RJ - Down Syndrome ).
