The Flamengo Rowing Club's judo team has gained another reinforcement for the season. Judoka Rodrigo Abner de Araújo Menezes, born on June 5, 1999, joins the red-and-black team and arrives motivated to seek titles and contribute to the club's tradition on the Olympic stage.

Rodrigo Abner started judo at the age of five at Sesc in Fortaleza, influenced by his mother, an admirer of the sport. Since then, he has built a career marked by dedication and overcoming challenges, progressing through the youth categories to achieving significant results at the high-performance level.

The athlete was part of the Brazilian Under-21 National Team and has achieved important milestones in his career, including bronze medals at the Troféu Brasil, Brazilian Championship, Club Grand Prix, and Olympic Selection. One of these medals, in particular, had a special significance. “The bronze at the Taça Brasil Under-21 was very memorable. It was my first competition in the under-81kg category, at a difficult time in my life when I thought about giving up judo. I asked for a sign to continue, and that medal was the answer,” he recalls.

Now at Flamengo, Rodrigo highlights his pride in representing the club. "Representing the Flamengo Nation is a great honor," he states. Known for techniques like uchi-mata and osoto-gari, the judoka promises intensity and total commitment on the mats. "The fans can expect a lot of grit, a fight to the end, and beautiful judo to watch," he adds.

With his focus on 2026, the athlete sets clear goals for the season. Among his objectives are winning the Troféu Brasil, the Campeonato Brasileiro, and the GP de Clubes with Flamengo. Excited about the new challenge, Rodrigo reinforces his confidence in the work that will be developed at the club. “I am very happy to represent Flamengo. I came here to win titles and I am grateful to the coaching staff for their confidence. I am sure that 2026 will be incredible,” he concludes.