As the runner-up in the Brazilian U-17 championship and ranked second nationally, Lavinya will compete in the ISF Gymnasiade, one of the world’s leading school sports competitions

Her dedication to training and impressive results in national competitions have led Lavinya Estevam de Oliveira, a 15-year-old athlete from Minas Gerais, to a major achievement: her selection to join the Brazilian wrestling delegation at the 2026 ISF Gymnasiade, the World School Championships. Participating in this international competition is a major step forward in the young athlete’s career and underscores the sport’s potential as a pathway for developing talent and creating opportunities: she is a member of the team at the Ramacrisna Institute, an NGO located in Betim (MG), which has been nurturing outstanding athletic talent within its local community.

Organized within the framework of international school sports, the ISF Gymnasiade is a multisport competition that promotes exchange among student-athletes from different countries. In addition to recognizing athletic performance, the event encourages cultural integration, discipline, and the development of young talent.

The 2026 edition will be held in Rio de Janeiro from December 3 to 8 and will feature competitions in sports such as wrestling, judo, taekwondo, track and field, karate, beach volleyball, and chess, among others. The event is expected to bring together thousands of participants from approximately 45 countries for an experience that allows athletes to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of an international competition and measure their performance against representatives from other countries.

This milestone in the sporting journey of the Ramacrisna wrestling team reflects the results of a path built on discipline, commitment, and constant improvement. For coach Caliton Silva, Laninya’s selection is recognition of this work and the athlete’s dedication. “Laninya is a model of dedication, discipline, and the desire to improve. This selection is a source of pride and shows that the hard work put in during training, combined with her commitment, is yielding significant results. Representing Brazil in a world competition is a huge achievement, both for her and for Ramacrisna,” he emphasizes.

The news was also received with great emotion by the young athlete, who is now preparing to represent her country in an international competition. “When I received the news that I’d been selected, I could hardly believe it. It was a mix of surprise, happiness, and gratitude to see such a special opportunity—one that had seemed like such a distant dream—becoming a reality. It was an incredible feeling! Seeing my sensei, my family, and everyone on my team celebrating with me at that moment is indescribable. I can only thank God for everything He has done in my life. But now it’s time to prepare, train hard to achieve a good result, and enjoy every second,” she says.

Brazilian runner-up in wrestling in the Under-17 category at a competition held in Cubatão (SP), Lavinya currently ranks second in the national wrestling rankings, establishing herself among the top names in her category in the country.

Lavinya’s achievements aren’t limited to wrestling. She also excels in judo, a sport in which she won the Minas Gerais state championship titles in both the cadet and senior categories in 2026, in addition to earning numerous medals in state and national competitions.