Brazilian Olympic judo team arrives in Sheffield with a bang

Date: 18/07/2012. Story submitted by: Gael Stigant

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Crashes, bangs and shouts are echoing from the gym at Sheffield Hallam University’s Collegiate Campus as the Brazilian Judo team gears up for the London 2012 Olympics.

A 14-strong Olympic team, along with 18 sparring partners, physios and other support team members, has arrived in Sheffield to perfect its moves ahead of the games.

A training session took place on Wednesday morning where the athletes could be seen grabbing each other with huge force, throwing one another over their shoulders and slamming to the ground with a massive bang.

After the training, athlete Renan Nunes, 25, said: “It’s very hard work and we’ve had to persevere to get to this level.

"I train four to five hours a day and we have a nutritionist with us who is in charge of arranging all the meals so we always have a balanced diet.

“The little bit of Sheffield I have seen so far it very nice. We only arrived last night but it seems very peaceful and beautiful. I really like all the people here, they’re very nice.”

The group, which arrived on Tuesday night, is staying in Kenwood Hall on Sharrow and the hotel chef has received special training from a Brazilian chef to ensure the athetes’ diets are tip top ahead of the Olympics.

The favourite dish on the menu is a black bean stew called Feijoada, which is a traditional meal in Brazil and is considered top notch grub for hungry athletes.

Additional info

Address: Collegiate Crescent Sheffield S10 2BP

Tags: Brazil, Olympics, judo, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Campus