Brazil and Russia shine at CISM Military Games

Brazil has become the winner of the World Military Games, CISM in Mungyeong in Korea. The Brazilian team captured five gold medals, three silver and three bronze. The Russian judoka were able to take four titles in the individual tournament. Korea (2), China and Algeria, both one title divided the gold medals.

Brazil won the team event for both men as women. The Brazilian women defeated Poland by 5-0 in the final and the men’s team made the difference with 4-1 against Mongolia.

In the individual tournament at 6 and 7 October Brazil scored three gold medals achieved by Olympic bronze medallist Felipe Kitadai U60kg, Eduardo Bettoni U90kg and Mariana Silva women’s U63kg category.

The Russian team dominated the women’s division with four gold medals for Mariia Persidskaia U48kg, Anna Kharitonova U52kg, Tatiana Kazenyuk U57kg and Alena Prokopenko U70kg. Kharitonova regained her title of 2007. Kazenyuk defeated 2015 World Champion Rafaela Silva (BRA) and Prokopenko defeated Maria Portela, another Olympic candidate of Brazil. The category U78kg was won by Anamari Velensek who also won bronze at the IJF World Championships in Astana in August. She defeated strong Polish Daria Pogorzelec in the final who finished fifth at the IJF World Championships. Poland also lost the World team final in Astana.

Egypt celebrated a remarkable word title by Ali Eid Elshoufy U66kg. Lee Jung-Min of Korea captured the title U73kg. Lee Seung-su, the number five in Astana, defeated Russia's Aslan Lappinagov by an ippon in the men's under-81kg final at the KAFAC Indoor Sports Complex, bringing home the second gold for the host nation. Mohammed Tayev of Algeria won the heavyweight title. Chinese Yang Li won the title for women +78kg.

Strong Belgian Toma Nikiforov won the world title U100kg. He won bronze in Astana recently and was fit enough to fight in Mungyeong for the Military world title. He defeated Lee Min-Hyuk in the final in a strong field with Elmar Gasimov (AZE) who finished with bronze.

Strong names in the field with 2012 Olympic Champion from Brazil Sarah Menezes. Former World medallist Nijat Shikhalizada (AZE) won bronze U66kg.

The World Military Games are held each four years. Russia, Brazil, Korea and China have a reputation at the World Military Games history. Some well-known multiple Games winners are Alexander Mikhailin (RUS), Mark Huizinga (NED), Urska Zolnir (SLO) and Anna Kharitonova (RUS).