Brazil is gold in the mixed team competition at the Rio 2024 Pan-American and Oceania Judo Championships | CBJ

Brazilian judo closed the Pan-American and Oceania Championships with a flourish. This Sunday (28), at Arena Carioca 1, the Seleção was champion of the mixed team competition after winning two matches against Cuba, 4-1. The achievement joined the other 15 individual medals won (6 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze), on Friday and Saturday, and further isolated the country in the overall medal table.

In the first round, Brazil had victories from Leonardo Gonçalves (+90kg), Shirlen Nascimento (57kg), Michael Marcelino (73kg) and Marcelo Gomes (90kg). Cuba’s only score was scored by Maylin Del Toro Carvajal (70kg), who beat Ellen Froner by ippon.

In the second round, Brazil received fusen-gachi (WO) against Argentina, as the country did not show up to fight. Therefore, the grand final of the competition was, once again, Brazil x Cuba.

In the decision, Brazil started behind on the scoreboard, with a victory by Mailyn Del Toro Carvajal (70kg) over Ellen Froner, but soon managed to recover and close the campaign 4-1. Marcelo Gomes (90kg) equalized, Beatriz Souza (+70kg) turned, and Leonardo Gonçalves (+90kg) and Rafaela Silva (57kg) confirmed the gold medal.

“Fighting as a team is one for all and all for one. You go in there wanting to do your best. If one loses, everyone loses. If one wins, everyone wins. Regardless of victory or defeat, there is this unity. Brazil has always been a very united team, everyone cheers for each other and that makes all the difference”, celebrated Marcelo Gomes, who scored two victories on the day.

For the mixed team competition, the CBJ bet on calling up athletes from the new generation of judo, who have been standing out on the national and international scene. This is the case of Vinicius Ardina and Michael Marcelino (73kg), Shirlen Nascimento (57kg), Giovanna Santos (+78kg) and Marcelo Gomes himself (90kg).

According to Marcelo Theotonio, high performance manager at CBJ, the strategy is already aimed at Brazilian performance in the next Olympic cycle, towards Los Angeles 2028.

“We think and are focused on qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games, but we have established a strategy of composing the team with young athletes already thinking about the future. This opportunity to film and experience the energy within an important event like the Pan American Championship is important for this. They accomplished the mission and were not intimidated,” he said.

The Rio 2024 Pan American and Oceania Championship brought together a total of 498 athletes from 30 countries on both continents, covering the under-18, under-21 and senior classes.