RIO DE JANERIO, Aug 9:
Brazil’s first gold medallist of the Rio Olympics basked in her newfound fame on Tuesday, with judoka Rafaela Silva taking aim at the racism that first threatened to defeat her and then became the affront that spurred her to greatness.
Silva, who grew up in the City of God favela, the community made famous in the 2002 film, was disqualified in London for an illegal move and was described online as a monkey and taunted with other abuse. She considered giving up but friends – and the help of a psychologist – convinced her to keep going.
The 24-year-old proved them right and the doubters wrong on Monday evening when she delighted the home crowd by winning Brazil’s first gold of the games in the 57kg judo final. (Agencies)
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