There Are Two Years Left Until the Rio 2016 Games and Judo Athletes and Leaders Talk about Their Olympic Expectancy
There are exactly two years left until the start of the Rio 2016 Game and the Olympic spirit takes hold of the Brazilians, who will have the honor and responsibility to defend the colors of the country before the audience. August 5th day is a milestone for the Brazilian sport.
"We are very anxious with this party. Judo has been preparing for this for a long time. Now we are working on the last details so that our athletes have a significant participation. Let the Olympics come! We are prepared!" said President Paulo Wanderley Teixeira, reminding BJC’s motto: Ready to win.
The members of the technical committee make the President's words theirs. The planning that started in 2009 is coming to an end and this year the last Selective for the Senior Team of this Olympic cycle will be held. And the targets are already drawn.
"Our goal is overcoming the best result we've ever had in the Olympics, which was in London 2012 with four medals, namely one gold and three bronze. We hope to reach the Games with the strongest possible group. And so far we have been fulfilling all our planning and identifying the evolution of our athletes, "said Ney Wilson, BJC’s Performance Director.
"The Brazilian judo has a great responsibility for all the previous achievements. Two years from now on we will be stepping together on the mat to fight for our medals and write again our history. Let’s go towards 2016!" said Rosicleia Campos, the women’s team coach.
If the coaching staff’s goal is doing the best historical campaign in the Olympics, the athletes’s goal is not minor. Both the experienced as the new ones must first overcome the challenge of getting in the competing team. After this, everyone wants to mark their name in the history with a medal got at home. This is for sure a sole chance.
"I'm very motivated for these Olympics, when I will have the opportunity to win my third medal. It will be a magical moment if I reach that goal here in Brazil. This is my fuel, what motivates me every day to go training, "said Tiago Camilo, the 32 year-old middleweight judoka, who already had his name marked in the history of the Brazilian Olympic sport thanks to his medal silver won in Sydney 2000 Games (73kg), and the bronze at the Beijing 2008 Games (81kg).
"I think about the Rio 2016 Olympic Games every day. I keep my focus on training and competitions so I can get in the team and make my dream of fighting in the Olympics in my hometown come true, and by God’s willing, even win a medal," said Rafaela Silva, the current world lightweight champion.
There is little time left, but the judo, as its motto says, is prepared to win.
