Rafaela Silva, a native of Rio de Janiero, who was born in one of the favelas in the city, has won Brazil's first gold medal of the Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old judoka is a former World Champion and was victorious in the Women's 57kj Judo Final. Silva defeated Mongolia's Dorjsurengiin Sumiyaa to write her name into the countries' history books.
Silva only began competing in judo, when she began training with Athens 2004 medallist Flavio Conto in Rio. Conto set up a judo club, to teach some of the area's disadvantaged children.
#BRA first gold of #Rio2016! Congrats Rafaela Silva! #Judo (women's -57kg) #Olympics pic.twitter.com/qS81huNNAv
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 8, 2016
Silva competed in London four years ago. An unexpected early exit meant she suffered racial abuse on her return to Brazil. She claims she was told she belonged in a cage.
The fact that judoka won Brazil's first medal, under a massive weight of expectation will come as a huge relief to the nation. Silva's background, from being born in Rio's notorious 'City of God' will make her win be one of the stories of the Games.
.@Rafaelasilvaa has just won #BRA 's first gold medal at #Rio2016 in #Judo beating Dorjsürengiin Sumiya of #MGL! pic.twitter.com/0O54ofK1AY
— Rio 2016 (@Rio2016_en) August 8, 2016
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