Michel Augusto wins place at the Olympic Games in judo

This Sunday (19), Brazilian Michel Augusto booked his place for the Paris Olympic Games, after a good campaign in the judo world championship, which is taking place in Saudi Arabia. With the place confirmed in the under-60kg category, Brazil will compete in the competition with the full men's team.

Competition

The 19-year-old judoka secured his place by winning two matches in the competition. First, victory came in golden score on the athlete Tajikistan, Muhammadsoleh Quvatothen, against Balabay Aghayevfrom Azerbaijan, the current fifth best athlete in the world in the category, the victory happened due to excessive punishment for the opponent. The defeat came in the round of 16, for the fighter of Kazakhstan, Yeldos Smetovafter ippon.

Michel Augusto beats Balabay Aghayev on penalties (3-1) and advances to the round of 16 of the World Cup!

Another major victory for the Brazilian newcomer! Beat the European runner-up!

Come on, Michelzinho! pic.twitter.com/4ZoMzYoUZ7

— CBJ (@JudoCBJ) May 19, 2024

_{Victory that sealed the place against the athlete from Azerbaijan (Reproduction/X/CBJ)}

Ninth place in the competition guaranteed the Brazilian the last remaining spot. Brazil has arrived The competition with all places confirmed in the men's team, with the exception of the up to 60kg category.

Guilherme Schmidt (-81kg)

Leo Gonçalves (-100kg)

Rafael Silva (+100kg)

Campaign and dispute for the vacancy

Who also had a good competition was the judoka 24 years old, Natasha Ferreira. The Brazilian won two matches in the competition, It is took a big step towards an Olympic spot. In her first fight, she defeated the South African Geronay Whitebooiper ipponwith 40 seconds of fight. In the round of 16, there was a mistake by the Japanese Wakana Koga, who was disqualified for resting her head on the ground, when performing a blow, which guaranteed the Brazilian's place in the quarterfinals.

After being defeated in the quarterfinals, and again in the repechage, the Brazilian finished the competition with seventh place. The competition for classification ends in June and the Brazilian will need to wait until the end of the process to confirm her place.

Currently, Brazil has four athletes in the women's category confirmed in Paris. Larissa Pimenta (-52kg), Rafaela Silva (-57kg), Mayra Aguiar (-78kg) and Beatriz Souza (+78kg). Ketleyn Frames, in the category up to 63 kilos and Luana Carvalho in the category up to 70 kilosthey need of good campaigns in this world championship, so that they have any chance of winning the place.

Featured Photo: Michel Augusto during the Pan-American Games in Santiago (Reproduction/Wander Roberto/COB)