Judoka Returns Home with Brazil's First Gold at Rio 2016 -- Federations Focus

(ATR) Rafaela Silva returns home to Cidade de Deus with a parade after winning a gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics in women’s judo.

Silva captured the first of seven gold medals for host country Brazil on Aug. 8 in dramatic fashion after entering the tournament unseeded. She was greeted with a hero’s welcome at the favela where she grew up.

"There were people everywhere, throughout the City of God," Silva says. "We first started to celebrate with people from a social project known as the Athletes of Christ and then we had a press conference and then the parade, sitting on the fire truck, throughout the favela."

The parade traveled through the streets of the city and ended at her childhood home.

"Those moments will remain in the community’s memory and in my memory forever," she says. "During the whole celebration, I really had the feeling that I was in the middle of the people I love. This is my life."

International Judo Federation president Marius Vizer also congratulated the Brazilian champion.

"She is a champion for life," Vizer says. "She had to fight against all odds and she won. She is an example for many generations and has proven that whatever the place where you come from, you can set goals and achieve them."

World Rugby's Latest Innovation

World Rugby reveals their new concussion software was a grand success at the Rio 2016 Games. This software assisted the Rugby Sevens teams competing in Rio by providing real-time data for team doctors and administering head injury assessments.

During the Rio Games, the software system ensured that doctors all had up-to-date information about each athlete, optimizing concussion diagnosis and management during the tournament.

This technology will likely be used in the 2019 World Cup that recently appointed Rob Abernethy as general manager.

Abernethy will be responsible for aiding the Japan Rugby Football Union and the Japan Rugby 2019 organizing committee as they carry out the tournament.

Abernethy states: "There are exciting times ahead and I look forward to working collaboratively with the JRFU, Japan Rugby 2019 and all key stakeholders to assist in the delivery of a world-class tournament that will thrill and excite spectators and leave a lasting legacy for rugby in Japan."

Olympic Champion Highlights ITTF World Cup

The International Table Tennis Federation will host its 2016 World Cup with 19 of the best Olympians in the sport seeking to defeat Olympic and defending World Cup champion Ma long of China.

The 20-man field will square off in Saarbrucken, Germany from Oct. 1-3. Each invited player competed at Rio 2016 and earned a spot at the tournament through Continental Cup events.

Long earned qualification as the defending world champion while Korea’s Jeong Youngsik earned the one wildcard qualification based on his excellent play at Rio 2016.

Several medal rematches from the Rio 2016 tournament should make the World Cup in Germany one to watch.

Written by Kevin Nutley and Courtney Colquitt

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