Last year, at the Tijuca Tennis Club, the legendary Helvécio Penna was again one of the highlights of the International Master and Senior championships. The athlete from De La Riva academy won weight and absolute in Senior 3 black belt and was overwhelmed with joy in his interview with Tatame. With extensive experience in his baggages, Helvécio celebrated the titles as a rookie does. And even though he won nine times, he explains that the taste of victory is still special:
“It was very important for me. I had two very hard fights. The first was against Wagner Mendes, who is the master of Demian Maia, and then against Ricardo Candido, in the final. So I knew that they were going to come in fighting and I could not go in relaxed. You’ve got to kill a lion here to win. Who thinks it’s easy to fight with older men is mistaken. I got my ninth title here, I have nine in weight and nine more in absolutel. But when I celebrate it always feels like the first. Despite the age and the injuries that we have, we are always learning and overcoming problems. It’s a lot of excitement to come here and win another title in his career, “he said.
Helvecio Penna documentary:
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