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WHETHER ON LAND, OR AT THE (BOTTOM OF) THE SEA: FLAMENGO ANNOUNCES SPEARFISHING TEAM

Athletes already have the sport's World Cup ahead of them, in March, in Rio de Janeiro; find out more about the sport, licensed by the club

23 Jan 2024 | 10:16 |

Flamengo created its first underwater fishing team! The sport is licensed to use the club's brand, just like the current American football and teqball teams, for example. Athletes will compete in local and international championships; In March this year, #FlaPescaSub will compete in the sport's World Cup, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro.

The team debuted in style, in December 2023, winning the Double Champion and Biggest Fish trophies , in the traditional Bruno Hermanny Tournament, held annually by the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro. President Rodolfo Landim, a practitioner and enthusiast of the sport, attended the debut.

Athletes' profile

Flamengo's underwater fishing team is made up of three exponents of the sport, who mix youth and experience:

Francisco Loffredi:

- Pan-American Champion with the Brazilian Team

- Three-time Blue Water World Cup Champion

- Former captain of the National Team Brazilian

- Captain of the American team in the last World Cup

Kevin Sansão:

- Three-time Brazilian champion

- Youngest two-time Brazilian champion in history of the sport

- Pan-American Champion with the Brazilian Team

- Individual Pan-American Runner-up

Raphael Ambrósio:

- Rio de Janeiro state runner-up

- Bruno Hermanny Tournament Champion

- Greatest promise and revelation of Brazilian sub fishing

Rio de Janeiro, birthplace Flamengo and underwater fishing

For many, Rio de Janeiro is the world capital of underwater fishing for a few reasons: it is very popular, with thousands of practitioners; the entire coastline is suitable for practicing the sport; it is the birthplace of the sport in South America, more precisely Posto 6, in Copacabana; is the hometown of great champions of the sport, such as the greatest of them, Bruno Hermanny, the first two-time world champion in underwater fishing.

Sport, economy and environment

According to SEBRAE, there are 6 million underwater fishermen in Brazil, who generate R$5 billion per year. Approximately 40 thousand arbaletes (diving rifles) are manufactured and sold in Brazil annually; Furthermore, the two largest diving equipment factories in Brazil are located in Rio de Janeiro.

Spearwater fishing is the most selective and sustainable fishing art known to man. It is the only modality that allows the fisherman to choose exactly what he will catch, without the unwanted incidentals, present in other modalities.

Sub fishing and other types of sport fishing are the greatest antidote to illegal fishing and predatory, since, in addition to generating revenue for preservation and inspection, they efficiently occupy and patrol the sea, removing and reporting illegal and abusive practices.

Sport underwater fishing is extremely restrictive and targets only fish abundant, adult, edible and difficult to capture. The vast majority of fish whose fishing is permitted by IBAMA are prohibited from sport underwater fishing.

Sport underwater fishing is governed by the World Confederation of Underwater Activities (CMAS), founded in the 1950s by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the entity's first president. CMAS is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB).

Last minute

Team

NBA star Joel Embiid makes an appearance at Flamengo's store

The Philadelphia 76ers center was at a shopping mall in Cabo Frio, in the Lakes Region of Rio de Janeiro, and made purchases of Mengão products.

Joel Embiid enjoys vacation in Brazil and is seen in Flamengo's official store at the Cabo Frio Shopping Mall-RJ - Photo: Reproduction

22 Ago 2025 | 19:00 |

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid, MVP of the 2022/23 NBA season, once again demonstrated his affection for Flamengo . Last Thursday (21), the Cameroonian player was spotted in an official club store, in Cabo Frio (RJ) , where he made a point of purchasing several red-black products.

A SURPRISING VISIT

Although unusual, Embiid's presence in the Lakes Region has a reason. Married to Brazilian model Anne de Paula, the athlete often visits the city, where his father-in-law lives, during the holidays. This time, he took the opportunity to explore the "Nação Rubro-Negra" store and expand his Flamengo memorabilia collection.

ENTHUSIASM IN THE STORE

The star's arrival took everyone by surprise and caused great excitement among the employees. Salesman Kauan said he was so nervous when he met the player that he forgot to remove the alarm from a piece of furniture, creating an unusual moment: " His father-in-law even joked with me afterward. It was an unforgettable experience ," he revealed.

GENEROUS SHOPPING

Embiid didn't hold back. He brought jerseys for himself, his wife, his father-in-law, and his son , as well as accessories like shorts and thermoses. The visit even helped meet the store's sales goals. The center also obliged some fans and store owners by agreeing to take photos with them.

RELATIONSHIP WITH FLAMENGO

Embiid's connection with Flamengo isn't new. In 2023, during an interview with the NBA Freestyle program, he revealed that he started supporting Flamengo because of his wife's family: " Actually, I'm a Flamengo fan because my girlfriend's father is a fan . Since we started dating, I've been following the team," he said.

MEETING WITH PLAYERS

In January 2024, when Flamengo held a preseason training camp in Philadelphia, Embiid met Léo Pereira and Matheus Gonçalves . The defender even posted a photo with the star: " Nice to meet you, brother ." Thus, the relationship between Joel Embiid and Flamengo continues to grow, uniting basketball and soccer in a connection that already transcends borders.

WHETHER ON LAND, OR AT THE (BOTTOM OF) THE SEA: FLAMENGO ANNOUNCES SPEARFISHING TEAM

Athletes already have the sport's World Cup ahead of them, in March, in Rio de Janeiro; find out more about the sport, licensed by the club

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