Soccer

Olympics: Judo's Bia Souza defeats the second best in the world and wins Brazil's first gold in Paris

After two silvers, gold finally comes to Brazil

The judoka Beatriz Souza was unfazed when the entire Camps de Mars gymnasium shouted the name of her semifinal rival, Romane Dick. She didn't even despair when the score showed her defeat in the quarter-finals, reversed by VAR. And now she is a gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Undefeated in four matches against the Olympic runner-up in Tokyo 2020, the Israeli Raz Hershko, Bia completed a waza-ari with 44 seconds of fighting and she just waited for the clock to reset to be champion. She wasn't even impacted by competing in her first Olympics at the age of 26 or by facing second place in the world rankings in the fight for gold.

Her first fight was practically a run over. Izayana Marenco. Bia Souza used the difference in size and strength to end the fight with a quick ippon. In the quarter-finals, she faced tension against Korean Kim Hayaun. The fight was balanced until the Brazilian judoka landed a blow.

But, in the movement, she fell backwards onto the mat. The referee scored ippon, the scoreboard said it was for the Korean. Bia didn't tremble. But the moments of waiting were apprehensive during the VAR review.

With the interference of the video referees, the blow was given as Waza-ari for Bia. The image showed how Bia had grabbed the kimono from behind the Korean woman's back, and had used her leg to hook her and knock her down. She was in the semifinals in her Olympic debut.

Then there was the complicated fight against Frenchwoman Romane Dick. In the stands, the opponent's face was on a poster while the public shouted "Romane, Romane" the entire time. However, Bia did not despair and applied another blow to reach the grand final.

With the first Olympic medal already guaranteed, the Brazilian ranked fifth in the world ranking had an old acquaintance in front of her, the Israeli Raz Hershiko , number 2 in the world ranking. However, Bia, very concentrated, applied a Waza-rio at the beginning of the fight and only managed it so she could finally shout that she was Olympic champion.

Last minute

Soccer

Lineup: With changes, Flamengo announces the starters who will face Peñarol at Maracanã

The teams play the first game of the quarterfinals at 7 p.m.

Tite defined Flamengo and announced the 11 starters who will face Peñarol, this Thursday, at Maracanã, at 7pm. De la Cruz returns to the starting lineup in place of Léo Ortiz, and Alex Sandro and Plata were retained. The duel with the Uruguayans is the first between the teams in the quarter-finals of the Copa Conmebol Libertadores. Follow the Red and Black lineup:Rossi, Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Pulgar, De la Cruz, Gerson and Arrascaeta; Plata and Bruno Henrique.

Alex Sandro and Plata, debutants in last Sunday's classic, remain in the team after having good performances in the draw against Vasco. Gabigol is now out of the relationship due to fibrosis in the posterior muscle of his right thigh. Flamengo, in a statement, reported that the athlete did not suffer any injury in the region. Check it out:

"The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informs that the athlete Gabriel Barbosa underwent tests that did not diagnose an injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh. However, the Technical Committee opted for precaution and did not list him for the duel against Peñarol due to fibrosis in the region. Gabi is handed over to physiotherapists and physical trainers for the series of decisive games of the season."