Erika Miranda says farewell to sparkling judo career

Five time World Championships medallist Erika Miranda of Brazil retired of judo. The number five of the Rio Olympic Games took five consecutive world championships medals since 2013 but had to say goodbye to judo to keep her future in health. Miranda announced her retirement on Tuesday.

Erik Miranda: “With pride and emotion, I have say goodbye of my career in Judo, a sport that I have lived through every day with commitment, discipline and professionalism, but above all with love and passion. There are times in life that we are compelled to make important decisions and this is undoubtedly the most difficult for me: to leave Judo in order to prioritise my health.”

Miranda was always in the Brazilian team for a period of twelve years. The 31-year old won nine World Cups including four Grand Slams in Rio, Moscow, Baku and Ekaterinburg. She won the Pan American Games in 2017 and claimed four Pan American Championships titles. She took world medals with the Brazilian women’s team and silver last year in the first mixed team event in Budapest.

Miranda: “It is immeasurable how much I learned from judo, to be disciplined, competitive, fair and to exceed my limits. Through Judo, I experienced other cultures and met other countries, I experienced the ecstasy and joy of bringing countless medals to Brazil, but I also learned to accept defeat humbly and recognize the worthiness of my opponent. Judo has made me an inspiration to other young people, who have come to see in sport a hope for better days, and that is very rewarding! I believe it was the greatest gift I received from choosing the life of a professional judoka.”

Miranda who was often coached by Rosicleia Campos and celebrated many successes thanks her family, her friends and all coaches on her facebook.

But also to her friends in judo and her rivals on the mat. “Thank you for the opportunity to know your stories and share mine. I made some great friends for the rest of my life. I understand that God now has other purposes for my life. I still do not know, but I trust, that it will be for a greater good.”

Miranda fought at two Olympic Games, competed at World Championships since 2007 and didn’t miss any of those nine championships. Five times she reached the semi finals and won a medal five times. She led the World Ranking short in 2013 and from October 2017 until March 2018.