The Judokas Who Will Represent Brazil in the World Military Championship and Universiade Have Been Announced
The Brazilian Judo Confederation, in partnership with the Military Sports Commission of Brazil (MSCB) and the Brazilian Confederation of University Sports (CBUS), has announced the athletes who are participating in the World Military Championship from June 29th to July 6th in Astana in Kazakhstan, and in the Universiade, from July 7th to 11th, in Kazan, Russia. Sarah Menezes, Eleudis Valentim, Ketleyn Quadros, Maria Portela, Mayra Aguiar, Maria Suelen Altheman and Rochele Nunes, convoked for the events, are participating in a training camp in France until June 26th.
Rochele, who will compete in the Universiade, believes that this training on the tournament eve is an important step in preparing for one of the most significant events of the world sports calendar.
\"It\'s great to participate in these activities because training with strong and different athletes brings me always something new, more experience and improves my preparation. It also gives me a better idea of the competition’s level I am participating in and what I have to improve for having a good performance in the Universiade, “the heavyweight athlete said.
Rochele will be joined by Catiere Toledo (48kg), Raquel Silva (52kg), Ketleyn Quadros (57kg), Mariana Silva (63kg), Bárbara Timo (70kg), Phelipe Pelim (60kg), Luiz Revite (66kg), John Pedro Macedo (73kg), Vinicius Panini (81kg), Eduardo Bettoni (90kg), Rafael Buzacarini (100kg) and David Moura (+100 kg). This is an extremely qualified team, considering the fact that Ketleyn is an Olympic medalist whereas Rachel, Mariana, Bárbara and Rafael were medalists in the Open Pan- American San Salvador held last weekend, and David Moura is among the world top ten best heavyweighted.
\"I participated in the Universiade in 2011 and I got the third prize. I believe that, since then, I have improved a lot and, honestly, I\'m going there again with the goal of being a champion. Although the competition does not distribute points for the world ranking, I consider it to be important for my career and I would like very much to be the champion.“ David said. The coaches of the Brazilian Team going to this tournament have also been appointed by BJC: Mauro Santos and André Silva.
The level of the team chosen to represent Brazil at the World Military is also very high. Among the convoked athletes, there are those who represented Brazil at the Games in London: the Olympic champion Sarah Menezes (48kg), the bronze medalists Mayra Aguiar (78kg) and Felipe Kitadai (60kg), besides Maria Portela (70kg), Maria Suelen Altheman ( +78 kg), Leandro Cunha (66kg), Eduardo Santos (90kg) and Luciano Correa (100kg), the world champion in 2007.
\"I do not know exactly who my opponent will be in the competition but I am prepared to give my best. I have never fought in a World Championship and I\'m really excited to represent Brazil in the Military now, “Mayra said.
Eleudis Valentine (52kg), Flávia Gomes (57kg), Mariana Barros (63kg), Alex Pombo (73kg), Walter Santos (+100 kg) who is leading the world rankings in the half heavyweight category and Victor Penalber have also been convoked. They will board for the competition next Thursday, June 27th. The coaches will be Mário Sabino and Kiko Menezes.
\"It\'s the first time I will compete in the Military World Championship and I\'m very excited because it is a very strong competition. Some world top athletes are militaries and therefore the technical level will be quite high. Getting an award at the World Military Championship is not that easy, \" Penalber said.
\"Much of the evolution of the Brazilian judo is due to this planning work done by several people. The Institutions understood that the BJC is the most appropriate entity to prepare these athletes and BJC worked very hard so that the athletes be able to represent the partner institutions in the championships determined by them. It\'s a two-way street that has worked very well, \"said the Performance Director of the Senior Team, Ney Wilson.
By: Press Department
