What transpired though was a whole different story, leading to a dramatic finale. Two of the Brazilian ‘guarantees’ lost their footing and conceded points to China.
Leonardo Goncalves (BRA), second in the world ranking at -100 kg, came out first to face Fuchun Huang (CHN), 15th in the world, also at -100 kg. This looks like an advantage for Brazil, especially with both athletes fighting in the same individual weight category. As the mixed team category is +90 kg, big variations are possible in the team event.
Huang, at first under pressure, had a good feeling for the movement of the contest. When Goncalves attacked across the front of Huang, Huang had perfect posture and countered with impeccable timing to score ippon. It was a big blow for Brazil; 1-0 down with a big hitter already beaten.
Sarah Souza (-57 kg) and Guilherme De Oliveira (-73 kg) then won their contests to take Brazil into the lead, fights that could have gone either way but gave Brazil some breathing space when it mattered. China was now playing catch-up.
Nauana Silva, an athlete gradually making her way on the World Judo Tour, had a close contest against Lu Liu (CHN) at -70 kg, also just beginning her career on the circuit. Of a similar age and experience, this was a borderline guess. Silva could have extended the lead for Brazil but Liu won on penalties, 3-2, equalising the match, not a position Brazil expected to be in.
Macedo then followed predications. Fourth in the world at -90 kg, he dispatched Hebilige Bu (CHN) without difficulty. One of Brazil’s ‘guarantees’ had put them back in front. However, it was short-lived.
The third of the guarantees was Beatriz Souza, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion. She struggled in the months that followed Paris but in the latter part of this year has looked to be back on good form, Lima Grand Prix gold being the first tell-tale sign of recovery. In the individual competition in Brazil she placed 7th with some great judo and just a couple of mistakes. In the team competition, it was hoped she would continue this run but it wasn’t to be.
China’s Xinran Niu, 22 years old and building her senior career, already has some positive grand slam results as well as the Asian continental title. She came out to face Souza firing on all cylinders and delivered an ippon in ne-waza. The match was tied at 3-3, the second of Brazil’s big three not meeting their quota.
The +90 kg category was then drawn for the deciding golden score contest. It took Huang a very short time to hunt down a suitable yuko to take China through to the quarter-finals. He countered a tani-otoshi attempt with an o-uchi-gari. Huang was buoyed by the occasion and the chance to win it for his team. For China, he’s the real MVP today.
The point here is not to side with one team or another but to revel in the unpredictability of judo and the additional dynamism of the team event. China should not have been able to pass Brazil, on paper, but with an interesting line-up, great team spirit and a few moments of really excellent judo, they put Brazil out, the first twist in Baku’s team tale.