Brazil Wins 2 Gold Medals at Paralympic Judo Grand Prix

The road to the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games officially began in São Paulo, and Brazil made sure the opening day belonged to them.

At the IBSA Judo Grand Prix held at the Brazil Paralympic Center, the host nation celebrated two gold medals and several podium finishes. The atmosphere crackled with excitement as established champions defended their titles while newcomers announced their arrival on the world stage.

Rosicleide De Andrade gave Brazil its first gold in the women's J1 52 kg division. The reigning world champion stayed patient against Kazakhstan's Alfiya Tlekkabyl in a tight final that saw neither athlete gain an early advantage.

De Andrade then unleashed her signature low shoulder attacks, pressuring from close to the mat until she found the perfect opening. One perfectly timed throw brought ippon and sent the home crowd into celebration.

Brazil's second gold came from Danilo David Geronimo Silva in the men's J1 81 kg category. His final against Uzbekistan's Shokhrukh Mamedov turned into a battle of endurance, with neither judoka able to score during regular time.

After two additional minutes of golden score, Geronimo Silva executed a flawless sutemi-waza that brought the winning score. The Brazil Paralympic Center erupted as the home team claimed its second title.

Romania's Florin Alexandru Bologa proved why he wears the coveted gold backpatch reserved for Paralympic champions. The Paris 2024 gold medalist won the men's J1 70 kg division with textbook precision, using a perfectly timed kata-guruma to score waza-ari before transitioning into an inescapable hold for ippon.

Why This Inspires

One competitor showed that champions can shine at any age. France's Cyril Jonard first won Paralympic gold in Athens in 2004 and added silver in Beijing four years later. Twenty-two years after his first Paralympic triumph, he claimed bronze in São Paulo at Paris 2024, proving that passion and dedication transcend time.

The opening day demonstrated how competitive international Para judo has become. Surprise performances mixed with veteran excellence created hard-fought battles and spectacular throws that showcased the sport's technical quality and the athletes' resilience.

The first ranking points toward Los Angeles 2028 are now on the board, and the Paralympic cycle has begun with a celebration of determination and skill.

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