Three Benfica judokas in the 2018 European Championships

Telma Monteiro, Gonçalo Mansinho and Nuno Saraiva travel this Tuesday to Tel Aviv. It is in the second biggest city of Israel that they will represent the National Team in the 2018 European Judo Championships, from April 26 to 28.

The benfiquista Telma Monteiro won the title of European champion in 2015 and confessed that the objective for this year is to be again in the podium.

“This will be my 12th participation in European Championships. In the two previous European championships, in 2016 and 2017, I was not able to compete because I was injured and in the last time I have competed I became European Champion. My goal is to be in the podium. It would be once more something historical, in the sense it will be very competitive because the level is very balanced but I am confident that will will put in a good performance”, said Telma Monteiro, in statements to BTV.

Gonçalo Mansinho also has high expectations with regard to his performance, guaranteeing that he will fight for the medals.

“It will be my 2nd European Championships. It is a European Championships that come after my first medal in the Grand Prix, in Marrocos where I finished in the 3rd place, so I am confident, I am well prepared and the expectations are high. From the moment I am there and I am well prepared, everything can happen. My goal is to qualify and then fight for the medals”, said the Benfica athlete.

Nuno Saraiva feels he is doing "a good preparation" and faces the European Championships with "realistic expectations".

“Despite having been sick a week ago, I consider that I am doing a good preparation. I am still a bit tired but now I must recover to arrive well prepared for the European Championships. I always believe in medals, but in realistic expectations, I would be happy if I qualified myself for the first seven places. I will approach the competition fight by fight, but with realistic expectations”, stated Nuno Saraiva.

Text: Márcia Dores

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica