The team, who have several members ranked in the world top ten, selected the city as their UK training base due to the impressive facilities in place at Sheffield Hallam University.

"It has been vitally important to choose a training base in the UK that will enable us to get the best possible preparation for London 2012," said the Brazil judo team leader Ney Wilson (pictured above left).

Brazil's judo team finished in 18th place at the Beijing 2008 Olympics with three bronze medals.

"Sheffield provides us with everything we need to have the best chance of success.

"We have had such a great welcome from everyone across the city, and are very happy to be here using these outstanding facilities at Sheffield Hallam University."


Leandro Guilheiro and Tiago Camilo secured podium spots in the men's competition in the Chinese capital, while Ketleyn Quadros took third in the women's competition and in doing so became the first Brazilian woman to win an Olympic medal in an individual sport.

"Hosting training camps like this is great for Sheffield and I am delighted to welcome the Brazilian Judo team to the city," said Councillor Helen Mirfin-Boukouris (pictured above second right), Sheffield City Council's cabinet member for business, jobs and growth.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making this happen, and also to the team themselves for choosing Sheffield."

The team will head straight to the GB World Cup in Liverpool after the training camp as they step their Olympic preparations.

"It is a tremendous honour to have the Brazil Judo team with us for their preparations through to the 2012 Olympics," said Guy Masterman, head of sport at Sheffield Hallam University.

"It is a testament to the facilities and sport support systems we now have in place at the University and our sport campus at EIS Sheffield.

"It is especially pertinent for us as we forge links with Brazil in its progress towards its own Olympics and indeed a FIFA World Cup.

"Brazil is an exciting and welcome addition to those nations hosting major international sports events and I am sure they will gain from their experience in Sheffield, London and the UK."

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