Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Mayra Aguiar Wins Her Second-Consecutive Bronze Medal in Judo at the 2016 Rio Games

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an Olympic déjà vu for Mayra Aguiar…

For the second Olympics in a row, the 25-year-old Brazilian judoka has earned the bronze medal in the 78 kg category in women’s judo at the 2016 Rio Games.

Aguiar defeated Cuba’s Yalennis Castillo in the Bronze Medal Bout A to complete her matching set of bronze medals.

Back at the 2012 London Games, she defeated Holland’s Marhinde Verkerk to claim the bronze.

Aguiar’s victory may be slightly sweeter this time around, as she claimed victory in front of a hometown crowd.

Aguiar Wins a Bronze in Women’s Judo at the London Games

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Mayra Aguiar will be having a bronzetastic birthday at the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Brazilian judoka, who turns 21 on Friday, beat Holland’s Marhinde Verkerk to claim the bronze medal in the 78 kg category in women’s judo at the London Games.

It’s the third medal Brazil has earned in judo at this year’s Olympics, following medal-earning performances by Aguiar’s teammates Sara Menezes and Felipe Kitadai.

Aguiar, who wasn’t able to compete for the gold medal after losing her semifinal match to world No. 2 Kayla Harrison of the United States, overcame that defeat to earn the bronze in stellar fashion.

Aguiar, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, exploded with happiness when she managed to hook Verkerk’s leg and throw her to the mat on her back in less than 90 seconds.