Young people from the Viva o Esporte Project excelled in taekwondo, rhythmic gymnastics, and swimming during competitions held last weekend

Sports in Betim had a weekend of great achievements. Athletes from the Viva o Esporte Project, developed by the Ramacrisna Institute in partnership with the Betim City Government, took the podium in taekwondo, rhythmic gymnastics, and swimming competitions held in different cities across Minas Gerais.

In taekwondo, the team participated in the Third Stage of the Minas Gerais State Championship, held on Saturday (30) in Mariana. The athletes won 11 medals—six gold, three silver, and two bronze—a result that put the Betim delegation in the spotlight at one of the sport’s major state competitions.

In rhythmic gymnastics, the project’s representatives competed in the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics Opening Tournament, organized by the Minas Gerais Gymnastics Federation on May 29 and 30 at the Divino Braga Multisport Gymnasium in Betim. Considered the official opening of the season, the tournament brought together 54 gymnasts from four sports organizations across the state.

Among the competition’s top results, Lorena Gabrielly Guimarães stood out, winning the overall title in the Youth Level I category. The athlete also secured first place in the clubs event and third place in the ball event, establishing herself as one of the tournament’s standout performers. The team’s performance highlighted the athletes’ technical progress at the start of the season and reinforced the group’s potential for the upcoming challenges on the state calendar. Check out the complete standings:

Maria Clara Santos de Souza – 3rd place (Pre-Children’s 3 – floor exercise);
Iara Pereira Gonçalves – 1st place (Pre-Children’s 2 – floor exercise);
Yasmin Gonçalves Rezende – 2nd place (Pre-Children’s 2 – free hands);
Ana Júlia Alves Melo – 2nd place (Children’s 3 – free hands);
Tharsilla Eduarda Lopes Silva – 1st place (Children’s 2 – free hands);
Dandara Vitória Santana Alves – 2nd place (Children’s 2 – free hands);
Rafaela Sophia Lima de Souza – 2nd place (Children’s 2 – free hands);
Yasmin Ferreira Vitório – 2nd place (Youth 2 – clubs).

Positive results in swimming as well

In swimming, athlete Helena Aredes also had a remarkable debut as a federated athlete. During the CBDA Southeast Junior Swimming Festival, 1st Semester, held in Belo Horizonte, she faced competitors from Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo and won three medals.

Helena took silver in the 50-meter freestyle and bronze in the 50-meter breaststroke and the 100-meter freestyle. The swimmer also placed fifth in the 100-meter medley, a significant result for her first participation in a competition of this magnitude.

For Nilson Amaral, the technical coordinator of the project at the Ramacrisna Institute, the results reflect the continuous work carried out by the athletes and coaches. “Medals and achievements are important, but they represent only a part of what we seek to develop in young people. Sport is a tool for social transformation that helps shape citizens better prepared for life’s challenges. Throughout their athletic journey, our athletes learn values such as respect, commitment, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Seeing this development unfold both on and off the competition floor and watching our athletes represent Betim so well is a source of great pride,” he says.