No panic in Brazil for high judo expectation Rio2016

This week and the Brazilian team is still training at their own camp in Pindamonhangaba. The expectations of the Brazilian Olympic Committee are high for judo which is one of the sports where Brazil should contribute to aim for a top 10 position in Rio.

The Brazilian team should do the utmost effort to keep the chances for Olympic metal. So far only there Brazilians are in the top 10, with Erika Miranda (U52-2), Victor Penalber (U81-5) and Mayra Aguiar (U78-9), but one year ago 10 athletes were ranked in the top 10, six women and four men.

Compared to the 12 athletes in 2013 and three leaders in U48, U78 and men’s +100kg Brazil was much more dominant than now.

Erika Miranda is the most stable, she is in the top three U52kg since the previous Olympic Games, with small up and downs. For the Olympic Games the Brazilians don’t have the qualify as host nation, so not a reason to panic. Despite a lower ranking (14) of Olympic Champion U48kg Sarah Menezes and 2013 World Champion Rafaela Silva (14) it’s only about those 7 days early August.

In 2013 Brazil sent 304 athletes to the international World Tour events, in 2014 even 341 excluding all Training camps, this last year the team focusses on the major events for the finetuning of the 14 athletes.

In London Brazil took four medals including Menezes’ gold. According to the virtual medal table Brazil should now be able to capture three medals. Over all sports Brazil is expected to take 8 gold medals, 9 silver and 2 bronze and a total 19. What will the Brazilian team contribute over the 14 events. Let’s start with a good training camp in Pindamonhangaba with some of the top seedings.