Jonathan Matias and Davi Silva have come a long way since their days playing badminton at the Miratus Center in a Rio favela. Started by Sebastiao Coelho, father of Ygor Coelho, the center has become a breeding ground for talented players like Matias and Silva.
Now, at their first BWF World Championships, both Matias and Silva find themselves playing alongside their inspiration, Ygor Coelho. Standing at an impressive 1.98m, Silva towers over Coelho, and together they are representing Brazil in the tournament.
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Coelho, who has been a role model for Brazilian badminton, is thrilled to see the next generation of players making their mark. He is proud that they have come so far and are competing at the same World Championships where he is still Brazil’s top men’s singles player.
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“I’ve seen them from when they were very young,” said Coelho. “I’ve watched them grow and compete with the best in the world. It gives me goosebumps to see how far they’ve come.”
The journey for Matias and Silva started when they were children watching Coelho compete at the Rio Olympics. Being present at that moment ignited a passion within them to pursue their own badminton dreams.
“I was in the audience at the Rio Olympics, watching badminton,” said Silva. “I felt a big energy being there, and I hoped one day I would achieve this dream and be in the Olympics. Ygor was my role model, and his father guided me to where I am now.”
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Matias, on the other hand, had initially given up on badminton but found his way back to the sport after witnessing Coelho’s Olympic debut. The experience made him realize that with hard work, he too could reach the top level of the sport.
For Coelho, the World Championships hold a special significance. The fact that everything has come together so well, with his wife joining him to watch the tournament, is a dream come true. He believes that this event is not just about him but about the entire state, favela, and country, as it helps build a culture of badminton in Brazil.
The success of Matias and Silva is a testament to the dedication and passion of the players at the Miratus Center. It shows that with the right role models and support, dreams can become a reality.
- By Carnegiecentre.com
Nguồn: https://carnegiecentre.com
Danh mục: Tin tức
