Brazilian President wears a Judogi

judogido · 10-18-2005, 08:39 PM

http://www.ijf.org/news/qNewsView.ph...ewsNew&Idx=709
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Brazil - CBJ) Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva received the Brazilian National Judo Team last Tuesday (27). The president of the Brazilian Judo Confederation (CBJ), Mr. Paulo Wanderley Teixeira, was accompanied by João Derly Jr (-66kg/Gold Cairo 2005), Luciano Correa (-100kg/Bronze Cairo 2005), Leandro Guilheiro (-73kg/Bronze Athens 2004), Flavio Canto (-81kg/Bronze Athens 2004), Carlos Honorato (-90kg/Bronze Osaka 2003 and silver Sydney 2000) and Vania Ishii (-63kg/5<SUP>th</SUP> Osaka 2003) during the meeting at Palacio do Planalto, seat of the Brazilian Government.

As a souvenir, the judokas gave a Judogi to Lula, who immediately wore it.

“We are proud of what you have been doing for our country. Good luck!”, said the President.

The day before, Monday (26), CBJ signed an agreement with Infraero – a state enterprise which takes care of all airports in <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION><ST1

LACE>Brazil</ST1

LACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>. For the first phase (one year), Brazilian Judo will receive US$ 320.000.

“This is our gold medal outside the tatamis”, said Paulo Wanderley Teixeira.

(image by Ricardo Stuckert/PR)
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judogido · 10-18-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

The day before, Monday (26), CBJ signed an agreement with Infraero – a state enterprise which takes care of all airports in LACE>BrazilLACE>. For the first phase (one year), Brazilian Judo will receive US$ 320.000.

... Good news for Brazillian Judo & BJJ?

Dominic Kihlstrand · 10-18-2005, 08:55 PM

Wow...that is actually a HUGE deal. Any government attention is good, as long as they aren't bashing. This is great for BJJ, and judo.

jjmuaythaiguy · 10-18-2005, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judogido

... Good news for Brazillian Judo & BJJ?

I think its always good news for everyone.

What I think is more important is that Presidents start training in judo and bjj.

I think like Russia's President that one time I saw him on t.v. throwing the crap out of some students from somewhere. That was awesome!

If presidents trained in something then maybe when they had a disagreement they could have a submission grappling tournament and then whoever won the match would win the argument. Like in that movie Troy with Brad Pitt as Achilles saying,

"Wouldn't it be something if kings actually fought in the battles they started."

Damn straight.

judogido · 10-18-2005, 09:43 PM

What should they be spending the money on? Facilities? Sponsoring elite OR up & coming young athletes? Promotion? Hosting International level competitions?

Darwinist · 10-18-2005, 09:55 PM

Youth development IMO. Expand the talent pool and you get more exceptional athletes, and those that don´t get to the Olympic level hopefully continue in the sport and get their kids into the programs, further expanding the talent pool. Also, by expanding the user base, you establish more of a national presence, justifying future sponsorships and government $$$

Using the money primarily to sponsor the training of elite athletes is IMO a short-term solution. It may net you some more silverware, but when that generation retires, and no-one takes their place where are you?

Get em while their young enough and the sky´s the limit.....

judogido · 10-18-2005, 11:19 PM

I agree. *sings* "I believe our Children are our future....

Still - I wonder how much of the money will actually go to benefiting Judo & how much will bet sucked up by the bureaucracy?