Brazilian judo prevailed against the United States team this Sunday (19), in the Mano a Mano Challenge, a friendly competition held in the warehouse of the Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro. With impeccable performances, despite the heat around 37 degrees, Ketleyn Quadros (63 kilos), Rafael Macedo (90 kg), Leonardo Gonçalves and Rafaela Silva guaranteed Brazil’s 4-0 victory, with no need to play the remaining two duels initially planned.
The quartet was part of the Brazilian mixed team that won bronze at the Paris Games. The Mano a Mano serves as preparation for Brazil’s debut at the Gand Slam in Paris, on the 1st and 2nd of February, a competition that opens the world circuit of the International Judo Federation (IJF, in English).
Ketleyn Quadros, from Brasilia, the country’s first female Olympic medalist in individual sports (bronze in Beijing 2008), opened the competition against North American Emily Jaspe, in the up to 63 kg category. The Brazilian dominated the match and sealed the victory after her opponent was disqualified after receiving three punishments from the judges.
Next, Rafael Macedo from São Paulo got the better of John Jayne in the under-100 kg category, by applying an ippon to his opponent, guaranteeing Brazil’s second trump card in the Challenge. The person who also won by ippon was Leonardo Gonçalves from São Paulo in the duel against Geronimo Sauceo.
Rafaela Silva, from Rio de Janeiro, who moved up to the under-63 kg category after Paris 2024, achieved the country’s fourth victory, with the right to ippon over Carrouth Karlle. In the previous category (57 kg), Rafaela won gold at Rio 2016 and was two-time world champion (2013 and 2022).
Due to Brazil’s advantage on the scoreboard, two initially scheduled fights were cancelled: Jessica Pereira would face Angélica Delgado in the under-57kg category; and newcomer Chrystian Silva would fight Christopher Velazco at 60 kg.
