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Japan-born Yudy Santos on a roll after beating heavyweight Moura

Japan-born Yudy Santos on a roll after beating heavyweight Moura

3 Oct 2019 09:20
Mark Pickering - IJF
Oliver Sellner

Former Pan American champion Eduardo Yudy Santos will perhaps be the most eager judoka in the hosts’ vast team to get out there on the tatami. Santos, who was born in Japan and moved to Brazil as a teenager, spectacularly defeated former heavyweight world medallist David Moura just a week ago in the CBJ Team Grand Prix final.

“I never imagined that I would fight him one day,” said Santos who bagged bronze at the Tunis Grand Prix last year and is tasked with opening his Grand Slam medal account this weekend.

The humble 24-year-old added: “He is a much superior athlete to me but, judo is like that. I wanted so bad to win and I'm happy that I got the victory for our team.”

With home advantage and coming off the biggest contest win of his career, Santos is poised for the best challenge of his career on the Grand Slam stage and encourages judo fans the world around to follow all the action from Brasilia. 

“Judo fans will be able to see one of the highest level competitions in the sport with many world judo stars and a very strong Brazilian team. I hope everyone enjoys the IJF’s return to Brazil!”

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