Reactions on the Team Event of the World Championships in Budapest

In general positive feelings after the mixed team competition on Sunday where Japan defeated the team of Brazil. The countries are lining up to become the best and catch that extra special medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Also International Olympic Committee President Dr. Thomas Bach watched the event.

IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach said: “The place of judo is very important as part of the Olympic program. We are really looking forward to the Olympic Games in Tokyo and especially for judo.

The Mixed Team Competition was officially added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme by the IOC in June and the hosts of the next Olympiad won the first edition of the new format at the senior level.

“Japan is the motherland of judo so in Tokyo judo will play an even greater role within the Olympic family. I won my Olympic gold medal in the fencing team event. So this mixed team event has a special taste for me. But at the same time it’s very important because individual athletes will get the team spirit and we will also promote gender equity.”

Soichi Hashimoto won two gold medals this week, for his individual performance and in the team. „Honestly at the beginning I did not know how to feel about this mixed team event, but the others, the good atmosphere helped me and it is always really important for me to prove that Japan is one of the strongest judo nations of the world and I am very happy that we could prove it. Regarding my individual gold medal, it depended only on me, but to caught this second one was a result of the team's effort.”

Brazilian athlete Victor Penalber fought U90kg this time and U81kg individual: „I think there is a special feeling about the mixed team competition and I really liked the energy about it, so in my opinion it is a different feeling but it is a really good one. The result was 6-0 but I do not think it showed the real picture of the match, there were tough fights during the gold medal battle.

It was the first mixed team event, it is a really good result to have a silver medal for the preparation for the next Olympic Games.”

Penalber’s compatriot Maria Portela said: „I am pretty satisfied with our results, although we could not take a win in the finals, I am extremely happy to have a silver medal. The mixed team event, organized under the new rules, fits the Brazilian competitors, as our national squad consists of very talented male and female warriors, cherry on top it is always a better feeling to fight not only for ourselves but for all members of the team. That is what we are really good in at.”

Brazil can really benefit from this new event as they have a strong basis among men and women, which is not so easy for countries like Azerbaijan and Georgie who will now have to work on their gender equality in judo.

France is the best European country with a bronze medal. Benjamin Axus reacted: „It was a very long day and fight at the end, we were very tired, when we started the bronze medal fights. We made it step by step, it was a real teamwork, I can say that we have a really special team. I enjoyed this team event and the world championships as well, this week was amazing for me and for the end this medal is wonderful.”

World Bronze medallist Helene Receveaux won a second bronze on Sunday: „I felt myself strong during the whole day, it is a nice feeling to be part of this successful team. I am extremely happy, because after I had cliched the 3rd place in the -57 kg individual event, I could grab another bronze. I have had a really great time in Budapest as it was my first senior World Championships and I took two medals on my very first appearance.

Also Korean An Chang-Rim won his second medal in Budapest: „I could win here at the World championships, I am really happy about it. It was a tough fight, but our team could solve the task and catch the third place. It was a great honour to be here for me and close this event on the last day with one more medal.”

His compatriot Kim Min-Jeong also won two medals this week. „It was a very special experience to grab two medals at the same World Championships, fortunately I could manage to have them, as beside my individual bronze I took another podium place. The mixed team event was organized for the first time in this method, I enjoyed to participate in it, but it took a bit long so I became really exhausted by the end of the day.”