Judoka Rafaela Silva Earns Brazil its First Gold Medal in Rio Games.

Rafaela Silva


Judo is a wildly popular competitive sport in Brazil, so it should come as no surprise that judoka Rafaela Silva earned the country its first gold medal of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio on Monday.

Silva, who came to the games shouldering high expectations, lived up to the hype. She defeated Sumiya Dorjsuren of Mongolia in the women’s 57 kg, resulting in a gold medal win for Brazil.

Considered a hometown hero, Silva grew up playing football in the streets of Rio. She was introduced to the sport of Judo at the age of 7 and spent her early life living in a favela a mere 5 miles from where the competition took place.