By Mary Carroll, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The 2012 Olympics in London was off to a strong start for Brazil, with Sarah Menezes making history for her country when she became the first Brazilian woman to win gold in Judo. Her fellow Brazilian judoka, Felipe Kitadai, also took a bronze medal.
In Brazil, the sport of Judo has earned the most amount of Olympic medals in its history. Menezes was delighted to be part of Brazil’s success in martial arts.
“You do not know what I’m feeling. Everything is light, I’m floating. I’m very happy.” The 22 year-old says “When I started judo, I went for fun.”
Menezes is optimistic about the future of the sport as she informs that “Judo is growing.”
Kitadai, finding it hard to hold back his emotions, with tears of joy he revealed “It is an achievement that you can not express. I can not think of anything. I think I’m still dreaming.”
Swimmer Thiago Pereira made Brazilians proud when he won silver in the 400m medley, coming second only to America’s legendary Ryan Lochte.
“I am very happy” said Pereira. “After the World Championships in Shanghai (2011), when the result did not come, I even thought [I might] stop swimming the 400m medley.”
Nerves did not get the better of Pereira who left no room for regret, “I did the best I could to prepare for the Olympics. I knew that there would be no “what if?”
Read more (in Portuguese).
* The Rio Times Daily Updates feature is offered to help keep you up-to-date with important news as it happens.
Read More from The Rio Times