Some icons of the red-and-black Olympic sports were present at 'Flamengo Brahma Live' last Sunday (14), at Maracanã. Athletes Emanuel Borges (rowing), Diana Barcelos (para-rowing) and Olivinha (basketball), as well as Rosicleia Campos, the Mais Querido's judo coach, talked about their main achievements with the Manto Sagrado. Via video, multi-champion Isaquias Queiroz, from canoeing, also participated in the review.

Having served as technical coordinator of the Brazilian Women's Judo Team for many years, Rosicleia began the conversation by talking about the development of the sport in the country.

"Women's judo is really on a huge rise. In a way, this global recognition of the sport is recent. I remember the first Olympics were in 1992, in which I participated as an athlete. Flamengo has always had a very strong judo team. I've been with the club for 35 years and have won nine Brazilian titles and 16 state championships, among others. So, I have a very beautiful history within Gávea," said the coach.

Paralympic rowing athlete Diana Barcelos told how she began her career in the sport.

 "Actually, I started in the sport as a way of rehabilitating myself, after having an accident in 2014 and having to have my leg amputated. I tried to find a Paralympic sport that I could adapt to, until I started rowing in mid-2016. At the end of that year, I competed in the Brazilian Championships and, right away, achieved good results. Today, besides competing for Flamengo, I'm a member of the Brazilian National Team in the sport," said the athlete.

Direct from Lagoa Santa (MG), Isaquias Queiroz participated in the video conversation and revealed the feeling of wearing the red and black colors.

"It's a very special satisfaction. In 2012, I had a very brief stint with Flamengo and became a Junior World Champion representing the club. Now, I have the opportunity to return and represent the Red-Black Nation. It's been an incredible experience. In this first year of my return, I was fortunate enough to win the World Cup. It's wonderful to receive all the support and affection from the fans. My dream now is to win an Olympic medal with the red-black colors," the canoeist noted.

The 'God of Race' of FlaBasquete, Olivinha spoke about the emotion of seeing the red-black fans with a flag printed with his image.

"I get goosebumps just remembering that day. I really didn't know about this tribute the fans were going to make. When the game ended, I was already in the locker room, and the supervisor called me to go outside to see a surprise. I arrived on the court and saw that the fans had stretched a flag with my image in the stands. I couldn't believe it! It's a huge honor. Being the second player in the history of Flamengo basketball to have a personalized flag is very exciting," the star exclaimed.

Finally, Emanuel Borges made a point of recalling the origins of Mais Querido with the founding sport.

"The club's history began with rowing. The sport is undergoing a transformation to return to its former level. In fact, we've already managed to bounce back since last year, winning the State and Brazilian Championships. I want to thank everyone on the board for all the investment the club is making in the sport. This has a direct impact on the results achieved."


The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC).