SPORTS
In addition to the Bahian, Caio Bonfim and Edival Pontes are the men’s nominees, while Ana Sátila, Beatriz Souza and Rebeca Andrade are the women’s finalists
Published on December 2, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Isaquias Queiroz and his fifth Olympic medal Credit: Alexandre Loureiro/COB
The main category of the Brazil Olímpico Award, the Rei Pelé Trophy – which chooses the best athletes of the season across all sports – had its six nominees announced on Sunday (1st). Among them, a Bahian: Isaquias Queiroz. The canoeist competes in the men’s category with Caio Bonfim (race walking) and Edival Pontes (taekwondo) and could win the trophy for the 5th time.
In the women’s category, gymnast Rebeca Andrade was the winner in the last three years and is once again the favorite after becoming, in Paris-2024, the biggest medalist in Brazil’s history at the Olympic Games (six). The other two candidates are judoka Beatriz Souza and canoeist Ana Sátila. The last one, in fact, is the only one among the six nominees to not have won a medal in the French capital. She finished 4th in K1 and 5th in C1. The winners will be announced at a ceremony organized by the Brazilian Olympic Committee on the 11th, in Rio de Janeiro.
Rebeca is looking for four-times at the King Pelé Trophy. She was awarded the best of the year in 2021, when she won her first two Olympic medals; in 2022, when she was world champion in the individual all-around; and in 2023, when he beat Simone Biles on vault at the World Championships.
Beatriz Souza also returned from Paris as an Olympic champion and multi-medallist, winning the judo heavyweight category (+78kg) and helping Brazil win bronze in mixed teams.
In the men’s category, Caio Bonfim won a medal in France in race walking, with silver in the 20km race. Edival Pontes, known as Netinho, became the third Brazilian to reach the Olympic podium in taekwondo, with bronze. Isaquias Queiroz is trying for an unprecedented fifth championship. The biggest winner in the history of the Best of the Year award (2015, 2016, 2018 and 2021), the Bahian arrives accredited by the silver won in the C1 1,000m in Paris.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) also announced that popular voting has begun to choose the Fan Athlete for the Brazil Olímpico Award. The six candidates are Ana Sátila (canoeing slalom), Beatriz Souza (judo), Tatiana Weston-Webb (surfing), Alison dos Santos, o Piu (athletics), Caio Bonfim (athletics) and Darlan Souza (volleyball). Anyone who wants to participate.
