BRAZIL SCORES IN JUDO AND TAKES FOUR GOLD MEDALS ON THE FIRST DAY
The Brazilian delegation demonstrated immense superiority over its rivals and won gold in four of the five categories contested.
The Contact Sports Center of the National Stadium hosted the first day of judo of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. In a day to remember, the Brazilian team brought out all the hierarchy and history it has in the specialty and was left with four gold medals in the five categories he competed in.
In the women’s -57 kg final, Rafaela Lopez, from Brazil, won the gold medal after a great fight against Argentina’s Candela Gómez, who won the silver. María Villalba, from Colombia, and Kristine Jiménez, from Panama, won bronze in their respective definitions.
Within the same category, but in the -52 kg, the gold medal went to the Brazilian Larissa Cincinato, who defeated the Mexican Paulina Martínez. The podium was completed by Angélica Delgado, from the United States, and Lilian Cordones, from Panama, who took the bronze.
“Being here for us is a pride, an honor. So, nothing better than representing our country well. Honestly, I didn’t focus on winning the medal, I focused more on myself. I want to feel good, I feel calmer, do what I like: judo, and flow,” Cincinato said.
The Brazilian Alexha Vilhalba dominated the fight from start to finish and won the gold in the -48 kg category, after defeating the Mexican Edna Carrillo, who won the silver metal. The bronze medals went to the Brazilian Amanda Ferreira and the American Maria Laborde.
«It is something that cannot be explained. Winning a gold medal here at the 2023 Pan American Games is truly unforgettable happiness,” Vilhalba confessed.
BRAZIL AND VENEZUELA DOMINATE THE MALE CATEGORY
The men’s finals did not disappoint either and provided emotions to match the circumstances. The Brazilian Michel Felix did not want to be less than his compatriots and won the gold medal in the -60 kg. The silver went to the Colombian Johan Rojas, while the bronzes went to the Ecuadorian Juan Pablo Ayala and the Mexican Arat Juárez.
The one who broke the rule was Willis García in the -66 kg category, who was applauded by all those attending the venue after the impeccable performance. ippon performed against his opponent Julien Frascadore of Canada. García is the first Venezuelan to deliver gold in judo to his country in history. The bronze medals went to the Cuban Orland Polaco and the Brazilian William de Souza.
Written by Anita Carreño and Melanie Donoso
2023-10-29 00:14:12
#Panam #Sports #BRAZIL #SCORES #JUDO #TAKES #GOLD #MEDALS #DAY
