Brazil win gold, bronze in Italy stage of judo world circuit

Sunday (Sep 11) proved golden for Brazilian judoka Beatriz Souza in the Riccione Open (Italy), the last tournament before the world championships in Uzbekistan next month. Souza became champion in the +78 kg category after winning the final against France’s Lea Fontaine by ippon.

To qualify for the final, Bia Souza beat Poland’s Kinga Wolszczak, by ippon, in the opening round, and then beat Kazakh Kamila Berlikash, in the semifinal.

Currently ranked number three worldwide, the São Paulo–born athlete has already collected three other medals this season: she was the Pan-American individual and team champion, and silver at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam.

Another Brazilian who climbed the podium in Riccione was Eric Takabatake, who took the bronze on Saturday (10), in the -66 kg category.

The world championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, will take place from October 6 to 13. In last year’s edition, in Budapest, Brazil won two individual bronze medals with Beatriz Souza and Maria Suelen Altheman.