Katherine Campos joins High performance team of Brazil

Former IJF Grand Slam silver medallist and long-time Brazil national team member Katherine Campos has joined the Brazilian Judo Federation’s High Performance team. The Rio de Janeiro-based 29-year-old started her new role in September working with the Federations and Judo's High Performance Manager Ney Wilson to manage the Brazilian team's squad and plan their road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Rio Grand Slam silver medallist and multiple-time World Cup winner Campos knows what it takes to win World medals as a key member of her country's women's team which won bronze in 2012 and silver in 2013 at the World Team Championships in Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro respectively.

"In 2015 I did some judo competitions but just inside Brazil and in the beginning of 2016 I injured my knee (torn crossed ligament), I needed surgery and all year I was out of action. I used this time to finish my studies, I did some courses and finished my graduation in physical education and this was a very important step to me. This year I started a postgraduate course in strategic administration.

"A few months ago I hurt my knee again and started a phase of reflection to define what would be my future. And one fine day I received a call from the manager of the Brazilian Judo Confederation inviting me to work on High Performance Management together with him and his team. I also have to take this chance to also say thank you for my mother for all support she always gives me as an athlete and when I decide change to start new phase of my life, she is my queen, my best friend."

Ney Wilson explains: "Katherine was writing her course conclusion paper to graduate in Physical Education and she asked for my help with it. Her course was about sport management and it caught my attention because I had a seat in my CBJ team to fill in with someone with this profile."

Campos was humbled by the offer and the opportunity to contribute to her country's success in the sport at the elite level having first stepped onto the tatami at the age of four.

"I was very surprised and very honoured by the opportunity that was being offered," said Campos who earned her 1st Dan black belt at the age of 15.

"I really admire all the work Ney Wilson has done over the years. I thought that I'm really blessed to have the chance - even after I stopped competing - to stay connected to judo and at a high level. Judo is my life, I've been on the mat since I was four, and I do not see myself doing anything that is not linked to this sport. So it was a mixture of happiness and gratitude. And I am very grateful to Professor Silvio Accio the President of CBJ and Ney Wilson for the trust and opportunity they are giving me."