Next to the traditionally strong countries in our beloved combat sport, several others are working hard to reach the high levels set by the top nations. One of the ones making great strides in their development is Brazil and their fans can now expect to see some serious competition for medals. Of course glory at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games is the main drive behind this trend however with many athletes already making the headlines, do not be surprised to see some podium finishes, and maybe even gold medals at the London Olympics this year.
Following the positive decision of the International Olympic Committee in 2009, when Rio de Janeiro got the green light to be the host of the 31st Summer Olympic Games, the Brazilian Boxing Federation in partnership with Petrobras have heavily invested in coaching and the development of the sport which will undoubtedly inspire gold medals on home soil when the greatest show on earth comes to town in four years time.
The first breakthrough was made by David Lourenco who shocked his young rivals at the 2010 AIBA Youth World Championships in Baku and unexpectedly secured the gold medal in the Welterweight class. The young Brazilian hope also shone at the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and secured gold for his country. Lourenco moved up to Middleweight so we can expect great performances from him at the elite level from him in this next Olympic era.
Roselli Feitosa showed this investment being made in both men and women's boxing as she brought Brazil's success at the 6th AIBA Women's World Championships in Bridgetown, claiming gold in the Light Heavyweight category. The 22-year-old fighter moved down a category in preparation for the London Olympics and will be attempting to gain her Olympic quota placewith a successful performance at the forthcoming AIBA Women's World Championships, which will be held in China in May.
Everton dos Santos Lopes became the country's new national hero at the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku as the World Military Games winner defeated his main rivals to take the gold medal after defeating Ukraine's Denis Berinchyk in the final in the capital of Azerbaijan. Lopes will be one of the gold medal contenders in the Light Welterweight class at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Brazil's top Middleweight Esquiva Florentino Falcao was pure class at the AIBA World Boxing Championships and took a bronze medal, while Robson Conceicao's performance in put Ukraine's superstar Vasyl Lomachenko in all kinds of trouble.
Esquiva's elder brother, WSB star Yamaguchi Florentino Falcao, World Military Games winner Robinelson De Jesus Vieira, Panamerican Champions Myke Carvalho, Juliao Neto and Beijing Olympian Paulo Carvalho, who returned to the sport last year, will all have a fine chance of being part of the Olympic quota at the next qualifying event on home soil.
There are more than 600 female boxers in Brazil, among them are multiple Pan-American Women Champions such as Erika Matos, Adriana Araujo and Andreia Bandeira they will be great hopefuls in 2012. The next generation consists of Patrick Lourenco and 18-year-old National Elite Champion Joedison Teixeira who may be to be part of the squad heading to the next Olympic Games.
The Brazilian boxing squad will be preparing for the events at their new training venue in San Paulo. The sessions will be led by Cuban coaches and they expect to see many more historical moments for Brazil in 2012.
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