First Champions of the 2011 Brazilian University Games

CAMPINAS – Highlights of athletics, swimming, judo and chess started the comptetions of the 2011 Brazilian University Games (JUB’s), in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, from November 4^th to 7^th. After the individual sports the young athletes started the team sport competitions of handball, volleyball, soccer and basketball this Wednesday (November 8^th). About 3,000 student-athletes from all over the country participated in JUB’s 2011.

In athletics, focus was on Rosangela Santos (UCB/RJ), Sabine Heitling (Unisco/SC), Anderson Henriques (Sogipa/RS) and Erica Sena (FMN/PE). The athletes representedBrazilat the 2011 Universiade in Shenzhen (China) and at the Pan American Games inGuadalajara,Mexico.

Rosangela, fifth place at the 2011 Universiade, was champion in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2011 Pan-American Games. InCampinas, the runner fromRio de Janeirowas again on the podium with a first place.

Sabine Heitling, 6th in the 3,000m with obstacles at the 2011 Universiade, won bronze at the 2011 Pan-American Games. In JUB1s 2011, she took three medals: gold in the 1,500m and 3,000m with obstacles, with a competition record and bronze in the 4x400m relay. Anderson Henriques won the 400m and Erica Sena was champion of the 5.000m Race Walking.

In swimming, celebration for Henrique Martins, Jessica Veronez, Larissa Oliveira Betina Lorcheitter, Pvt (SP). Together, they totaled 23 gold medals in JUB’s 2011. Henrique Martins and Larissa Oliveira won the award for best technical content of the competition. Larissa won eight competitions and Henrique got five gold medals.

Henrique, 19 years-old, was vice-champion at the 2011 Universiade in the 4×100 freestyle relay alongside Marcos Macedo, Marcelo Chierighini and Nicolas Oliveira. João Gomes Junior, who brought two medals fromChina- silver in the 50m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m breaststroke – also swam inCampinasand was champion of the two competitions. “I’m focused on the search for the index to the London Olympics and it is important this JUB’s to get rhythm and fix the last details”, he said.

In the judo tournament, a mixture of experience and youth participated. Edinanci Silva, twice champion of the Pan American Games and four Olympic editions in her career, won two gold medals in her debut in JUB’s 2011. “I went back to school, started competing in university tournaments and I love the spirit and the friendship in these events”, told Edinanci.

Athletes who received their first calls for the Brazilian teams also shined in JUB’s 2011. Milena Mendes and Jessica Santos, from UniSant’anna (SP), won the team tournament at JUB’s 2011 and competed for the Brazilian junior team in international tournaments this year. Jessica, just 18 years-old, also won gold medal in her category (-63kg) at JUB’s.

In Chess, Vinicius Tiné (FMN/PE) and Janine Martinez (Unip/SP) were the champions of the 2011 JUB’s. The tournament brought together chess players from 22 states.

(Source: Polyanna Padua, CBDU Media Officer – Photos: Wander Roberto and Gaspar Nobrega)