It's time for World ranking leader David Moura

For a long time David Moura has been the number two of Brazil. The heavyweight grew behind Rafael Silva who captured two Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016. Silva was the only heavyweight who finally took Olympic and world medals. With David Moura Brazil have another powerhouse and Moura became the World number one after his good performances over years and especially in 2017.

David Moura was the finalist against Teddy Riner at the World Championships and two Brazilians stood on the podium with Riner, quite a luxury.

With 30 years, now it’s time for Moura to give his career a last medal boost. Since June he hold the position as World Leader and starts in white at each tournament as long as he keeps winning his bouts. And Moura does a good job, he won the Grand Slam in Ekaterinburg and Grand Prix in Cancun and took silver at the Worlds in both individual as the mixed team tournament. He had a good December month with bronze in Tokyo and silver at the Masters.

Moura won his first World Cup more than seven years ago in San Salvador and took World silver with the Brazilian team. Since then he hasn’t been away, but couldn’t qualify for the Games. Silva though has always been able to beat Moura and despite Riner it was Silva who’s been Moura’s nemesis.

The tall Brazilian can’t be afraid of anyone else, but the Japanese opponents outsmarted him often, he only defeated Kamikawa and Ojitani, both this year, which is typical for his progression in time.

In 2018 he can again show how he can deal with the opposition. Tall athletic guys like Riner and Krpalek or new generation fast athletes like Tushishvili will remain enough challenge for Moura who’s goal can only be the world title. Embrace the ambition for 2018. First goal is to regain a medal in Paris where he lost the final twice and took bronze in 2016 but lost early last year. He can gain new points to strengthen his position.