Judoka Beatriz Souza made history by winning Brazil’s first gold medal at the Paris Games. Overcoming the French Romane Dicko in the semis, and in the final the Israeli Raz Hershko, the Brazilian went to the top of the podium, and also made the green and yellow judo achieve the best performance in the Olympics.
Born in Itariri, in São Paulo, Bia Souza started judo as a child, under the influence of her father. At the age of 15, he left his home for the capital of São Paulo in an attempt to make a living from the sport, since then, he has geared up.
In 2024, she has been competing in her first Olympic Games, since, in 2021, she ended up being out of the Tokyo Games when she was overcome by Maria Suelen Altheman, who was later injured in Japan and retired from the mats.
Previously “rivals” in the fight for the Olympic spot, the two started to work together at Esporte Clube Pinheiros, in São Paulo. Maria Suelen became Bia Souza’s coach.
With 1.78m and about 135kg, Beatriz has her name constantly present on the podiums of the main judo competitions . In world championships, the Brazilian has two silvers and four bronzes (between individual and team competitions).
In the last edition of the Pan American Games, in 2023, Bia won silver in the mixed team tournament and bronze in the individual event.
Gold medal in Paris and on social media With the title at the Olympic Games, Beatriz saw her Instagram account explode in the number of followers. Before the decision, the judoka had approximately 180 thousand followers, and so far she has exceeded 950 thousand.
See below the athlete’s photo gallery:
