The First Brazilian Champion in the Tournament, João Derly Talks About the Title from Paris in 2006
The year: 2006; the competition: Super World Cup from Paris. On one of the biggest stages in the world, a medal bringing together the yellow gold and the green from Pampas was shining for the first time. João Derly was reaching the highest place of the podium and he was making the Brazilian anthem play for the first time.
\"It was a great victory. It happened some months after the first World Cup and the title was won by defeating a Japanese and this makes things more complicated, “recalled Derly.
Next weekend (February 8th and 9th) it officially starts the season on the world judo circuit, with the Grand Slam from Paris - the new name of the former Super World Cup. There will be 16 athletes defending Brazil. Since February 10th, 2006, when Derly took the title, the country has been well represented on the mat and it had even some gold awards. Since 2007, Brazil has got 12 medals.
“Since then, Brazil has won more and more medals, including gold ones, with Leandro Guilheiro in 2010 and Mayra Aguiar in 2012.\" he said. “Fighting in the Grand Slam from Paris is almost like fighting in a World Championship; therefore one has to work hard. I believe that anyone who has worked so is likely to have a good result, because this is the year’s first big event, \" he added based on his experience as a pioneer champion.
Brazilian medals since 2006:
2007: Silver from Leandro Cunha .
2010: Gold from Leandro Guilheiro and Bronze from Tiago Camilo.
2011: Silver from Tiago Camilo and Bronze for Sarah Menezes and Mayra Aguiar.
2012: Gold from Mayra Aguiar and Silver from Sarah Menezes and Rafael Silva.
2013: Silver from Bruno Mendonça and Bronze from Victor Penalber and Rafael Silva.
