Sport in Brazil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sports in Brazil which are widely practiced and popular in the country, as well as others which originated there or have some cultural significance. The Brazilian people are very involved in sports, and the most popular one is Football (soccer) by a wide margin, and can be considered a cultural phenomenon.
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[edit] Brazil in the Olympics
Due to the tropical nature of the climate in Brazil, it has not traditionally competed in the Winter Olympic Games, although it has participated in the 2006 games. However, Brazil has been competing in the Summer Olympics since 1920. Brazil is currently ranked 33rd in the overall ranking of medals in the summer Olympics. Here is the record of Brazilian medals in the games so far:
| Year |  |
 |
 |
All |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 1924 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1932 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1936 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1948 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1952 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 1956 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1960 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1964 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1968 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1972 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1976 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 1984 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| 1988 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 1992 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 15 |
| 2000 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| 2004 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 21 | 37 | 75 |
[edit] Capoeira
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art marked by deft, tricky movements often played on the ground or completely inverted. It also has a strong acrobatic component in some versions and is always played with music. It is a culturally significant sport, developed in colonial times by slaves. Nowadays Capoeira is practiced internationally and found its way into popular culture through many computer games and movies
[edit] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Vale tudo
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu originated in Brazil in the 1910s, and emphasizes ground fighting techniques and submission holds involving joint-locks and chokeholds. Gracie Jiu Jitsu became known internationally in the 1990s, due to the very skilled fighters in the Gracie family, namely Hélio Gracie, Royce Gracie and Rickson Gracie, which are also responsible for spreading the practice of Vale tudo, meaning "anything goes", seen today in tournaments such as PRIDE and Ultimate Fighting. Some notable Brazilian fighters in these tournaments include Wanderlei Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Helio Gracie had a rather small build and changed Jiu-Jitsu (that came from Japan) to be used by anyone in a real fight situation. The belt progression goes in the following order: White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black, Red-black, Red. Helio and Rorion Gracie are the only red belts.
[edit] Football (soccer)
The most popular sport in Brazil is Football. The National Team is immensely popular, not only in Brazil but also in the many parts of the world where football is appreciated, and there is also a renowned National League, boasting a nation-wide competition as well as several regional competitions. The Brazilian national team has been victorious in the FIFA World Cup tournament a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 [2] and is the only team to have never missed a World Cup participation. Pelé, one of the world's most recognized players, led Brazil to two of those championships and is the top scorer of all time in the sport. After the third win, Brazil kept the World Cup trophy permanently. Brazil competed in the 2006 World Cup as one of the favorites to win the competition, however it placed only 5th. Some of the contemporary talents in the national team prominent in the football world include Ronaldinho, Romário, Rivaldo and Ronaldo. Some of these players can be considered super-stars, achieving celebrity status internationally and signing sports contracts, as well as advertisement and endorsement contracts, in the value of millions of dollars. The governing body of football in Brazil is the Brazilian Football Confederation. Football has a major effect on Brazilian culture. It is often the favorite past time of youngsters that can be found playing football on the streets. World Cup tournaments are a social phenomenon, and it is not unusual for people to skip work to watch the national team play, and in some cases the very workplace will set up apparatus for its employees to watch the event together. It should be noted that the General Elections are usually held in the same year as the World Cup, and this is often criticized for taking advantage of the nationalistic surge created by football and bringing it into politics. Also, former football players are often elected to legislative positions.
[edit] Footvolley Ball
Footvolley was created in Brazil in the 1960s. It is a mix of football and volleyball, where the players must use their feet and head to get the ball over the net and into the opponent's court, and is also played in sand. It became a trend setting beach sport riding the Brazilian influence wave of fashion, models, and bikini's in the early 2000s.
[edit] Bossaball
Bossaball is an upcoming variation of Footvolley. Bossaball mixes volleyball, football, gymnastics and capoeira. The court is a combination of inflatables and trampolines, divided by a net. Bossaball will be launched on the beaches of São Paulo in January 2007. In Santos the brazilian team will play against a selection of players from Europe.
[edit] Tennis
Gustavo Kuerten, or Guga, is the most successful Brazilian tennis player so far, having reached the number 1 ranking in the world at the top of his career and winning the French Open three times, in 1997, 2000 and 2001. Player Fernando Meligeni was also responsible for popularizing the sport in the country. However, bad administrations, lack of money and serious support, and the elitization of this sport resulted in an uncompetitive Brazilian tennis, fragile and with a doubtful future.
[edit] Basketball
Basketball is somewhat popular in Brazil, but lost popularity after the increased attention volleyball has gained recently. The Brazilian national team has won the Basketball World Championship twice, in 1959 and 1963. Oscar Schmidt is the most renowned male Brazilian player, and Hortencia Marcari the most renowned female. Three of the nation's top players are in the NBA: they are the Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa, the Denver Nuggets' Nenê and the Cleveland Cavaliers's Anderson Varejao.
[edit] Auto racing
Brazil has produced three Formula One world champions: Emerson Fittipaldi (1972 and 1974), Nelson Piquet (1981, 1983 and 1987) and Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990 and 1991). It is home to the Brazilian Grand Prix held in Interlagos, located in the city of São Paulo. There are 2 Brazilian drivers in the 2006 lineup, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa.
The only Formula One constructor to ever be based in Brazil is Fittipaldi Automotive.
Brazil is also home to quite a few notable drivers in the Indy Racing League, such as 2004 champion Tony Kanaan, as well as winners of the Indy 500 race, Emerson Fittipaldi, Gil de Ferran, Vitor Meira and Hélio Castroneves.
Auto racing popularity is rising, and recently Brazil has been promoting Stock Car championships and Motocross events.
The most prominent Brazilian pilot on Moto GP as of now is Alex Barros.
- National championships
- Stock Car Brasil (Campeonato Brasileiro de Stock Car)
- Fórmula Truck
[edit] Volleyball
Currently Brazil is the most successful country when considering all categories of volleyball.
Brazil's men volleyball squad is currently the champion in the three major world competitions (Volleyball World Cup, World Championship and Olympic Games) and ranks number one in the FIVB World Ranking. Brazilian men team titles include:
- 2 Olympic Games golden medals (1992 and 2004)
- 2 World Championship golden medals (2002 and 2006)
- 6 Volleyball World League golden medals (1993, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 e 2006)
The women squad, which is ranked number two in FIVB World Ranking, has among others titles
- 2 Olympic Games bronze medals (1996 and 2000)
- 2 World Championship silver medals (1994 and 2006)
- 6 Volleyball Grand Prix golden medals (1994, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2005 and 2006)
Brazilian younger teams maintain the same success rate as the senior squads. As of now (March 25,2007), in the FIVB men ranking for junior and youth, Brazil is placed number one for women while the men are placed second.
Beach volleyball has also given Brazilian athletes much success worldwide, today Brazil is the ruling country. The FIVB 2006 World Tour has finished with Brazilians on the top in both men and women rankings.
Both, men and women, have won Olympic Games medals. Men have won golden in 2006 and silver 2000 and women have won golden in 1996; silver in 1996, 2000 and 2004; and bronze in 1996 and 2000. Brazilian athletes have also collected many medals in the World Tour.
[edit] Other sports
Athletics, swimming, judo and sailing are traditional sports in Brazil, which have earned Olympic medals for the country. In athletics, some highlights are Adhemar da Silva and João Carlos de Oliveira.
In swimming, athletes like Gustavo Borges and Fernando Scherer paved the road in their homeland for future adherents of the sport.
Sailing and Equestrians are considered elitist sports, not accessible for the general population. Some great athletes were produced, however, such as the rider Rodrigo Pessoa and sailors Robert Scheidt, Marcelo Ferreira and the brothers Lars and Torben Grael.
Judo was brought and developed by the large Japanese community. Some Brazilian Olympic medalists for the sport are Rogério Sampaio and Aurélio Miguel.
Boxing is a popular sport specially in the Northeast region. It is considered a poor people's sport. Some famous fighters are Eder Jofre and Acelino "Popó" Freitas.
Team Handball has been recently developing, being practiced specially in private schools. Brazilian national team is regarded as the best in Americas. Handball is increasing in popularity and media cover. The national league is broadcasted on cable TV, and is sponsored by Petrobras.
Other team sports struggle for attention. Water Polo and Roller Hockey national teams had international appearances, despite being amateur sports in Brazil. Baseball is mostly linked with the Japanese and Korean communities.
Rugby union is still a rather unknown sport, but is slowly growing inside the universities. The Brazil national rugby union team has so far never qualified for a Rugby World Cup. A domestic club competition, the Campeonato Brasileiro de Rugby, has been contested annually since 1964.
Golf is quickly becoming more practiced in Brazil, but is still an elitist sport.
Frescobol is a sport that is similar to tennis but is played with a wooden racket and a soft rubber ball in the beach, also does not have a score system. Was introduce in the 60's in Ipanema beach and is still very popular to this day.
Skateboarding and surfing are very popular among children and teenagers. Brazil has some famous skateboarders, such as Sandro Dias and Bob Burnquist. Fabiola da Silva is equally famous in the world of aggressive inline skating.
Biribol is a Brazilian born sport, created in the city of Birigüi, in São Paulo. It is a kind of volleyball played in a swimming pool.
Bodybuilding, particularly female bodybuilding, has some popularity behind it. The first of whom to turn pro is Monica Martin.
There is also a kid's game called "taco" or "bets". While it is not a proper sport, it is a simplified form of cricket played in the streets.
Chess, an elitist game.
