" Rafaela Silva = A warrior of Gold ."

Rafaela Silva ,brazilian judoka, has got the first brazilian gold medal  at the Olympic Games 2016.Her fast victory has sparked joyous celebration in the Carioca Arena 2 and across Brazil .She toppled Sumiya Dorjsuren of Mongolia in the final of the women's-57kg.

 Rafaela Silva is a graduate of the Instituto Reação,an NGO founded to use sport as a tool for social inclusion.This NGO was founded  by the fellow Brazilian judoka Flávio Canto,himself an Olympic bronze medallist at Athens 2004.

Rafaela admits that "Before my sister or I got into judo we were pretty rebellious.We weren't interested in going to school,and sport radically changed our lives.It was transformational,like water to wine."

After her great fast victory the athlete  said :

"I thank everyone who cheered for me.The people who saw my suffering daily know I did not like to train.But I think no one has trained more than me in this Olympic Cycle."

Rafaela's mother was also very proud of her daughter's great achievement and added:

"She deserves this a lot ! She is a unique warrior.A warrior of gold ."

https://www.olympic.org/news/local-superhero-rafaela-silva-shows-how-sport-transforms-lives