Anna Lara was one of the standout performers, clinching her third consecutive championship title
The past week was filled with excitement at the State stage of the Minas Gerais School Games (JEMG), held in Governador Valadares. From July 15th to 21st, seven Paralympic and three Olympic sports (athletics, judo, and swimming) were contested, involving nearly 4,000 student-athletes. According to SEDESE-MG, this edition set a record with 842 municipalities from Minas Gerais participating, encompassing 98% of the state’s cities. This participation rate is the highest since 2019, when 839 cities registered, highlighting the importance of sports. Since the start of the competitions in April, 40,000 athletes have competed in the qualifying rounds across three stages: micro-regional, regional, and state levels.
Amidst fierce competition, the judo team from Instituto Ramacrisna in Betim stood out, bringing home five gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. Notably, Anna Lara, Ray Lucas, Joyce Alessandra, Yasmin Emilly, and Luiz Felipe took top honors. Isabela Rodrigues and Anna Julia Rodrigues secured second place, while Diego Sampaio, Davi de Oliveira, Nicoly dos Santos, and Lavínya Estevam claimed third. Isaac Vasconcelos and Júlia Gabriele achieved fifth place, with Heloar Jardim finishing seventh.
Solange Bottaro, vice-president of Instituto Ramacrisna, expressed pride in the institute’s athletes, emphasizing their commitment to sports and holistic youth development. “Seeing our students excel at the Minas Gerais School Games fills us with immense pride. We deeply value sports as a tool for personal growth and transformation,” she said.
Tricampeonato
The standout performer of the season was Anna Lara, who secured her third championship title with another gold medal. “Anna is a dedicated and disciplined student. She has consistently performed well in various competitions, and now, we are thrilled to see her achieve a tricampeonato at the JEMG,” praised team coach Caliton Santos.
He highlighted the athletes’ commitment during training as pivotal to their competitive success at the School Games. “It’s inspiring to see how these young individuals dedicate themselves, overcoming daily challenges to reach their judo goals. We are delighted with the results and motivated to continue supporting their development in sports,” he said.
Brazilian School Games
Following their impressive showing at the Minas Gerais School Games, the Instituto Ramacrisna judo team is gearing up for national-level competitions. “Athletes Anna Lara and Ray Lucas have qualified for the national stage, the Brazilian School Games (JEBs), to be held in Recife. In the second module of the competition, athletes Luiz Felipe, Joyce Alessandra, and Yasmin Emily will participate in the School Youth Games (JEJ) organized by the Brazilian Olympic Committee in João Pessoa,” explained Caliton.
