Silva upset world number one Sumiya Dorjsuren for what was a hugely welcome win for Brazil after apathy and protests in the run-up to South America’s first Olympics.
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Silva’s toughest challenge came in the semifinals, where she was pitted against 2012 silver medalist Corina Caprioriu of Romania. “Of course we would have liked to have won more medals but out there on the mat, everybody who goes out there is a worthy contestant and we hope that my medal will be adored and will open the way for Brazil to win more medals”, Silva said.
But Ms. Silva comes from a particular Brazil: Her community was made notorious in the book City of God by Paulo Lins, which became a film by the director Fernando Meirelles (who was lead producer on last week’s opening ceremony).
It marked Japan’s first lightweight gold since Kenzo Nakamura won the old under 71kg event at Atlanta 1996.
Elsewhere, Serena Williams struggled before beating France’s Alize Cornet 7-6 (5), 6-2 in her bid for a second consecutive singles gold medal.
“I have to thank everyone who believed in me”, a tearful Rafaela Silva said. Silva scored another waza-ari and held on to earn the win.
Also in focus, but for very different reasons, will be Russia’s Yuliya Efimova who has been taunted by fans and fellow swimmers over her drug-tainted past. Four years ago, she received text messages telling her “the place for a monkey is in a cage”.
It was still a good result for Dorjsuren, who improved upon a bronze at the World Championships past year and claimed Mongolia’s first medal of Rio 2016.
Russian Federation took gold and silver in the women’s sabre fencing as Yana Egorian beat Sofiya Velikaya, who again suffered heartbreak after also losing the 2012 Olympic final.
London bronze medallist Marti Malloy of the United States suffered a shock early exit in the round of 16.
“Just got a couple hours of sleep, but I think that was probably going to be my hardest swim of the week so I’m glad it’s over with”.
The gold medal match saw Rustam Orujov of Azerbaijan taking on Shohei Ono of Japan.
The rise has been meteoric since Ketleyn Quadros won Brazil’s first Olympic women’s judo medal in Beijing in 2008, taking under-57kg bronze.
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But there were no detractors among the partisan Brazilian crowd at the Olympic Park, which erupted in patriotic cheers at her victory, shouting “Ra-fa, Ra-fa”. After winning his first two bouts, Delpopolo subsequently lost his quarterfinal match and moved into the repechage for a shot at a bronze medal.
