Rosicleide Andrade from Rio Grande do Norte experienced a special moment on Thursday morning (5) at the Arena do Campo de Marte, as she defeated Argentine Rocio Ledesma Dure by ippon and won the bronze medal in the up to 48 kg category of the J1 class (totally blind athletes or athletes with light perception, but unable to recognize the shape of a hand at any distance), the first for Brazilian judo at the Paralympic Games in Paris (France).
“I am very happy and at the same time I still can’t believe it. I have gone through a cycle [paralímpico] very good. In my first cycle [alcancei] “I’ve won some very important titles, like the gold at the Parapan American Games, and now I’m a bronze medalist at the Paralympics, in my first Paralympics. I’m very happy and I still can’t explain what I’m feeling,” said Rosicleide.
Another athlete from the J1 class who had the opportunity to win a medal this Thursday was Elielton Oliveira from Manaus, who was defeated by ippon by Indian Kapil Parmar in the bronze medal match in the up to 60 kilos category.