Fifteen States celebrate Medals at 2011 Brazilian University Games

CAMPINAS – The 2011 Brazilian University Games – JUB closed November 13^th, in Campinas (SP), with the finals of the basketball, volleyball, handball and futsal tournaments (male and female). More than 3.000 young athletes representing 194 universities from all over the country competed in the 2011 JUB in eight sports (judo, chess, swimming, athletics, futsal, handball, volleyball and basketball).

Fifteen delegations, of the 27 states entered in JUB 2011, celebrated champion’s titles in the collective tournaments. TheSão Pauloteam won gold in the men’s basketball and handball tournaments (with UniSant’anna) and also in women’s volleyball (with UNIP).Bahiaalso celebrated three titles in JUB 2011 with FTC teams, champion in women’s volleyball and basketball key, and with Facsocial, gold in men’s handball tournament.

Santa Catarina, Ceará, Paraná,Rio Grandedo Norte andFederal Districtwon two gold medals in the 2011 JUB. Mato Grosso, Roraima, Pará, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais andRio de Janeiromounted once to the highest place of the podium.

“The technical growth of the Brazilian University Games and the geographical distribution of medals from north to south of the country show that each year the university sport is consolidated and attracts more attention and investment by education institutions and clubs that have already recognized the social and healthy potential in the union between sport and education”, says Luciano Cabral, president of CBDU.

The 2011 JUBs gathered several athletes with medals and participation in editions of the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships and Universiade. These high profile athletes competed in the Brazilian University Games side by side new sporting talents with potential to shine in national and international competitions.

Rosangela Santos, Sabine Heitling, Anderson Henriques, Erica Sena and Thiago Salles, in athletics; Joao Luiz Gomes Jr., Betina Lorscheitter and Henrique Martins, in swimming; Fabiana da Silva and Ivana Manfredi, in basketball; and Edinanci Silva, Giulia Penalba and Raquel Silva, in judo, were some of the highlights who competed in 2011 JUB.

Next year, the city of Foz do Iguaçu (Paraná) will host the 2012 Brazilian University Games. Three cities already compete as candidates to host the 2013 JUB:Cuiabá (MT), Goiânia (GO) and Natal (RN). The winner will be announced by CBDU in May 2012 after the technical inspections.

“The Brazilian University Games is an important event for the athletes, the universities, the National Olympic movement and also has a financial importance to the cities that receive young people from all over the country, that’s why so many cities wants to realize the tournament”, Cabral explained.

(Source: Polyanna Padua, CBDU Media Officer)