The Team Gets to the End of Its Intensive Training Sessions in Mangaratiba and Boards for Toronto
The judokas who will represent Brazil in the Pan American Games got to the end of their ten day-training sessions in Rio and board to Canada late on Thursday, 02nd.
The Brazilian judo delegation that will represent the country at the Pan American Games in Toronto in 2015 ended on Thursday, 02nd, the ten-day training period in Mangaratiba, located on Costa Verde in Rio de Janeiro. The 45 members of the Brazilian team, including athletes and coaching staff, board this Thursday night to Canada and on July 11th they will step on the mats. The judo competition will last until July 14th.
That was the first part of the judokas’ training for the greatest multisports competition of the Americas that in spite of not counting points for the IJF world ranking, is seen by athletes as an important lab for the Olympic Games in Rio in about a year.
"We extended a little more this year‘s preparation, competing less and training more, which strengthened our basis to get well prepared for these Pan American Games and for the World Championships in a month," said Victor Penalber, who is participating for the first time in an edition of the Pan American Games . “I think the team is in its best shape so that we can bring the best possible result."
At this stage, the daily training conducted by the coaches Rosicleia Campos, Mario Tsutsui, Luiz Shinohara, Fulvio Miyata and Yuko Fujii aimed to improve the techniques and physical preparation of each athlete, besides focusing on the strategic study of the Brazilians’ major opponents in Toronto.
"The preparation was well directed. We tried to focus on the details because I believe that is what will make a difference. We work on the videos of our fights and our potential opponents’, paying special attention to the tactical part so that we can develop well our fights and minimize the mistakes, "summarized Maria Portela, women’s middleweight (70kg) .
"I participated in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara in 2011 and I won the bronze. So my goal for Toronto is to improve this performance, rising at the top of the podium. "
The final stage of this journey toward the gold begins on Friday, July 3rd, when the Brazilian judokas arrive in Toronto. From there they go away straight to the University of York, the premises from Canada where the Brazilian team will be staying. The extra-lightweight Felipe Kitadai, Nathália Brígida and the half lightweight Erika Miranda will be the first Brazilians to compete on July 11th at the Mississauga Sports Centre.
