The 2025 Judo Start Tournament, held last Saturday (22) at the Divino Braga Multisport Gymnasium in Betim, was marked by great achievements for the athletes of the Ramacrisna Institute. Facing representatives from 37 institutions in Minas Gerais, the judoka from Betim stood out by winning 20 medals, reaffirming the city’s leading role in the sport.

With a total of 27 athletes entered in 24 categories, the Ramacrisna Institute won in all classes, from under-13 to senior. The tournament, as well as opening the competitive season in the state, also served as a selection for the Region III Brazilian Championship, which will take place in Bahia in March. Seven of the institution’s athletes are expected to qualify for the national competition. Five are already confirmed: Ray Lucas, Nicoly dos Santos, Davi Henrique, Nicoli Gabrielle and Júlia Gabrielle. Anna Júlia and Anna Lara are still awaiting confirmation.

Highlights in the main category

Among the highlights of the competition, the young promises Anna Lara and Lavínia shone in the senior category – the main category of the tournament – even though they are only 14 years old, they both won medals, showing talent and determination against more experienced opponents.

“We’ve been consistent since the JEMG, with good results. We finished last year in second place in the overall standings and we start 2025 at the top. The boys have shown great progress, from the technical to the emotional aspect, overcoming their limits and dealing with adverse situations in a mature way. It’s all the result of a lot of discipline and dedication. The Institute offers an excellent structure, which makes a difference to the preparation of our students,” said the team’s coach, Caliton Silva.

Viva o Esporte students also on the podium

In addition to the athletes from the Ramacrisna Educational Support Center (CAER), students from the Viva o Esporte project, run by the Institute in partnership with Betim City Hall, also shone at the tournament. The representatives from Betim stood on the podium in four categories, winning one gold medal and three bronze medals.

Young Sofia Evelyn Bueno Costa was one of the highlights when she won the gold medal in the under-13 girls’ super-heavyweight category (+60kg). Three other judoka won bronze: Gustavo Santos Gonçalves (cadet male super-lightweight -50kg), Meibelly Ester Alves (cadet female medium-medium -57kg) and Eduardo Rodrigo Silva Pereira (under-15 male medium -60kg).

In addition to the medal winners, judoka Dafine Emanuele Ferreira Rodrigues (cadet female light -44kg), Valentina Pereira Costa (under-13 female heavy -60kg) and Isabel Vitória Alves Vasconcelos (under-15 female medium -57kg) also performed well, finishing in the top five of their categories.

With the results achieved at the 2025 Judo Start Tournament, the Ramacrisna athletes continue to prepare for the next challenges, with the expectation of representing Betim and Minas Gerais at the Region III Brazilian Championship.