Telma Monteiro ready for the Tokyo Grand Slam

After almost a year without competing, Telma Monteiro is about to return to the big competitions. On December 1^st,  the judoka will compete in the Tokyo Grand Slam, one of the most important tournament in the world tour.

Telma Monteiro says that her goal "is to return to normal rhythm and prepare the upcoming year".

With another important event taking place on December 15^th - the St. Petersburg Masters – the Benfica judoka says that the Tokyo Grand Slam is the last opportunity to be present in the competition in Russia.

“Meanwhile, the International Judo Federation placed the Masters in the calendar, where only the 16 best judokas in the world participate, but since I was almost a year without competing, it did not allow me to have results to be in that lot. So, the Grand Slam of Tokyo is the last opportunity to get the points I need to be in the 16 best in the world and compete on December 15^th in Russia”, explained Telma Monteiro to BTV.

“The bronze medal may be enough to achieve the required points, but it will depend on the results of my opponents. To get a medal or to win the Tokyo Grand Slam is always prestigious and maybe I get a spot for the Masters”, she added.

Telma Monteiro is aware of the responsibility and guarantees that she is very prepared and eager to shine in Tokyo.

“I feel ready. I gained pace with three competitions and had more preparation in training.  I wanted logistics to taken care thinking about the Masters. I'm just lacking the points, because I already have the visa. I like this kind of challenges, "said the judoka.

Text: Márcia Dores

Pics: Archive/ SL Benfica