Vinicius ABREU: “It's a great feeling to hear your country's anthem playing”

Brazilian athlete Vinicius Abreu became the Pan American champion in Sport SAMBO in the weight category over 98 kg at the tournament, which was held in his home country. Supported by the stands, he confidently beat all his rivals and won the gold medal of the continental championship in the city of Cuiabá. And then shared his impressions especially for the FIAS website.

Vinicius, you became Pan American SAMBO champion. How significant is this achievement for you?

– It's a great feeling to hear your country's anthem playing, a feeling of accomplishment. I think every athlete experiences indescribable feelings at such moments. When we step onto the mat, we perform not only for ourselves, but for our entire country.

How would you evaluate the level of your opponents? Which bout in the tournament was the most difficult?

– Certainly the difficulty of the bouts was measured in comparison to nervousness, but the last one was the most difficult because it was a final. My main task was to cope with the nervous tension that appears during major competitions. I am glad that I managed to do it. And on a technical level, I knew I was well prepared.

How long have you been practicing SAMBO? What do you like about this martial art?

– A little time, I was just introduced to this sport recently, but I liked it right away. I like that the rules in SAMBO allows the fight to develop better. Greater variety in technique makes the wrestling more intense.

The public actively supports you. What was the role of the crowd's support in your victory?

– The crowd influences a lot, hearing the fans shouting for the athlete always gives an extra boost. I am happy that I did not disappoint the fans and was able to please the spectators with my victory. This is really very important for me.

Do you have plans to continue in SAMBO?

– Yes, I do, it was an experience that I really enjoyed and I want to participate in next international tournaments. I hope that the Brazilian team will continue to perform at a high level, and that I will have the chance to compete for medals at prestigious world-class competitions.