Michel Augusto wins gold at the Pan-American Judo Championships and is closer to a place in Paris | judo

Brazil had a day of achievements at the Pan-American Judo Championships, which are being held in Rio de Janeiro. This Friday, judokas Michel Augusto, Larissa Pimenta, Willian Lima, Rafaela Silva and Nauana Silva won gold in the competition. Michel Augusto was the first to compete in the final, beating the American David Terao in the under 60 kg category. The Brazilian is still competing for a place in the Olympics. With the result, Michel is closer to qualifying, as the Pan guarantees 700 points in the international rankings for the first placed.

Michel Augusto wins gold at the Pan-American Judo Championships

Michel made the first entry, but Terao soon managed to escape. After that, the Brazilian continued to dominate throughout the fight, taking the gold. Among the men’s categories, Brazil is still looking for a place in Paris in the weight up to 60 kg category. With the result at the Pan, Michel was closer to the Olympic classification, but he must compete in the Judo World Cup to try to go to the Games.

The Judo World Cup will take place between May 19th and 24th and is the last chance to get a place in the Olympics. Brazil is still trying to guarantee itself in four categories: three in the women’s category (-48 kg, -63 kg and -70 kg) and one in the men’s category (-60 kg).

— I’m very happy, I want to thank everyone for their support. Winning the Pan-American Championship at home is a huge emotion. This is an important competition to seek my Olympic place. I think I had a good competition today. It’s going to work out this way,” said Michel.

Larissa Pimenta’s fight against American Angelica Delgado, in the under-52 kg category, was disputed until the end. Larissa had other chances to finish the fight, but Delgado always escaped. Despite the points gained with the medal, Larissa Pimenta is already qualified for Paris, along with Rafaela Silva, Mayra Aguiar and Beatriz Souza.

Larissa Pimenta defeats Angelica Delgado and wins gold at the Judo Pan

Willian Lima wins gold with ippon

With the right to ippon, the maximum score in judo, Willian Lima also won gold at the Pan by defeating Peruvian Juan Postigos in the -66 kg. In a great phase this season, the Brazilian is one of those who will represent Brazil at the Olympics.

— It will only sink in that I’m in the Olympics when I’m in Paris. It’s great to see this evolution becoming reality and to know that I have full potential to be an Olympic champion. I have the conditions to be there and win a gold medal. I’m sure I won’t leave anything to be desired, especially with my family there — said Willian.

Olympic medalist Rafaela Silva, promising gold in Paris, also climbed to the highest place on the podium this Friday. She beat Canadian Christa Deguchi at -57 kg, in a fight that lasted almost ten minutes. Deguchi, in fact, is the current leader of the world (and Olympic) rankings.

— I’m very happy with my performance. I came from the last competition, where I didn’t have a very positive result, but I had plenty of time. He had national team training in Pindamonhangaba. So, I had time to go back, rethink, make some strategies, also thinking about the Olympic Games. These points here would be very important to enter as seed in the Games. I came prepared to compete at home. It’s a privilege to be able to compete here. A very high level competition. I knew the fight was going to be tough. Within a fight with two athletes, they had four gold medals at the World Championships. So, it was going to be a war, and I’m very happy to have come out with this victory — said Rafa.

With almost ten minutes of fighting, Rafaela Silva is gold at the Pan-American Judo Championships

Another Brazilian hope for the Olympic Games, Daniel Cargnin also competed in the final, but lost to Canadian Arthur Margelidon in the -73 kg. Nauana Silva was the last athlete to enter the mat this Friday. In the up to 63 kg category, Nauana took silver after losing to Australian Katharina Haecker.

The dispute for bronze in the up to 48 kg category was between Brazilians Natasha Ferreira and Amanda Lima. Right at the end of the fight, Amanda Lima managed to fit her arm and finish the fight, taking the medal. With the result, Amanda added points in the world rankings and is closer to the Olympic classification. The judoka will also try to qualify for the Judo World Championship.

In the same category as Nauana Silva, the -63 kg, another Brazilian competed for a medal. Ketleyn Quadros beat Venezuelan Anriquelis Barrios and took third place. This is one of the women’s categories where Brazil is still looking for an Olympic spot, but, if the classification happens, it is not yet known who the Brazilian would be in the race.

Judo team undergoes renewal before the Olympics

The Pan-American competition continues on Saturday (27), with the -70 kg competitions; -78 kg and +78 kg for women, and -81 kg, -90 kg, -100 kg and 100 kg for men. The competition takes place at Arena Carioca 1, in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Park, and has free entry.