From her first exposure to the sport at the Institute to winning medals in competitions, the athlete dreams of national and international titles and highlights the life lessons she’s gained

When Nicoly dos Santos Pereira arrived at the Ramacrisna Institute, she had no idea she would find an activity there that would become such an important part of her life. After moving to the area, she learned about the institution through friends and decided to get involved in its programs. Among the activities offered was judo. It was on the Ramacrisna mat that she began to build a journey marked by dedication, achievements, and new dreams.

Today, this young woman’s story helps illustrate how being a judo athlete involves much more than just learning techniques: it requires discipline, dedication, respect, and a willingness to overcome challenges. “I started practicing judo at the Ramacrisna Institute itself when I heard that classes were resuming. I became interested and decided to give it a try. Over time, I fell more and more in love with the sport, and since then, judo has become a very important part of my life,” she says.

From the first training session to championships

Before excelling in competitions, Nicoly participated in various activities offered by the Institute. In addition to judo, she took chess lessons, a computer course, and participated in other sports activities. She also took the “Youth of the Future” course, broadening the experiences provided by the institution and qualifying her to enter the job market as an apprentice.

In judo, the results began to show. The athlete has already won medals and achieved important rankings. The Minas Cup, for example, was one of the most memorable moments of her career. Even while facing tough opponents and not being at her best, she managed to advance in the competition. “It was a turning point in my career, because I faced tough opponents even though I wasn’t at my best. With a lot of dedication, I managed to go far and realized that I’m capable of going much further than I ever imagined,” she says.

This achievement reinforced her desire to continue training and pursuing new goals. But for Nicoly, medals aren’t the only way to measure what the sport represents. “Beyond the titles, my greatest achievement is seeing my friends grow, evolve, and carve out their own paths alongside me,” she says.

What judo teaches beyond the sport

The Ramacrisna Institute’s judo program has been in place since 2018 and offers free classes to children and teens ages 6 to 17 who live in Betim. The activities take place at the Center for Learning and Essential Experiences (NAVE Ramacrisna) and are led by Sensei Caliton Silva Santos.

Training sessions are organized according to the students’ age and technical level. To this end, in addition to the fundamentals of judo, the classes focus on discipline, self-control, respect, social interaction, and physical and emotional development.

For Nicoly, these lessons extend beyond the mat. “The main lesson I take from judo into my life is respect for others, along with discipline, humility, and the importance of never giving up in the face of challenges, both on and off the mat.”

That’s why she also feels a deep sense of gratitude toward the Institute and highlights Sensei Caliton’s role in her journey. “He always helps us, shows us tremendous consideration, and does everything he can to provide us with opportunities and watch us grow, both as athletes and as people.”

Since the project’s inception, Ramacrisna students have won over 100 medals in local, state, and national competitions. But Nicoly still wants to go much further. Among her goals are winning the Brazilian title, competing in the Youth Games, and qualifying for a South American championship, for example. “My biggest dream is to go very far in judo, winning major titles and medals, becoming a role model for many people, and seeing my friends achieve their dreams.”

The athlete also sees the sport as a tool capable of opening doors for other young people. For her, judo teaches discipline, respect, and responsibility, in addition to fostering new friendships and opportunities.

How can you become a judo athlete like Nicoly?

Nicoly’s journey shows that the path to becoming a judo athlete begins long before competitions. At Ramacrisna, children and teens have the opportunity to learn about the sport, develop discipline, responsibility, respect, and perseverance, and participate in training sessions and competitions.

Judo classes are part of the sports activities offered by NAVE Ramacrisna and are designed for children and teenagers served by the project. To participate, you must be part of the target audience served by the institution and register based on availability.

Anyone who dreams of following in Nicoly’s footsteps and discovering how far they can go in judo can explore the opportunities offered by the Ramacrisna Institute. Just as it was for this athlete, the first training session can be the start of a journey filled with learning, friendships, and new achievements.

Want to learn about the opportunities Ramacrisna offers to children and teenagers? Follow the Institute and be part of this chain of goodwill.