By CBDV and IBSA

The Brazilian judo team are preparing for a big start to 2020 as they look towards the 2020 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Judo American Championships in Montreal, Canada, on 12 January.

The competition is one of three to take place ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games which offer world ranking points and therefore potential qualification. Two IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Nottingham, Great Britain and Baku, Azerbaijan, will also be crucial for judoka.

The Brazilians have spent the first week of the year training in Sao Paulo in order to be in the best form.

"I believe this resumption at the beginning of the year will be very beneficial for all athletes, as our clubs are still on vacation and are not having training, so it will be very important for us to be well prepared and with pace for the Americans and for the other competitions during this year,” said Luan Pimental.

Current Brazilian and Parapan American Games champion in the men’s up to 73kg, Pimental is one of Brazil's top international medal hopes. "I hope to fight well, I come from good competitions and I want to keep a clear mind to compete and express the evolution that is being sought in training," said the 22-year-old.

Montreal 2020 will also be extremely important for Parapan American champion Meg Emmerich, who has been out of action due to a left wrist injury.

"I had to temporarily stop judo training because of the wrist injury so it wouldn't get worse, but during the recovery I did physiotherapy and aerobic training. I hope that in this training phase I can reach the previously acquired potential to have a good competition," Emmerich, who competes in the women’s over 70kg, said.

Fans can watch the 2019 IBSA Judo American Championships on 12 January live on IBSA Judo’s Facebook page and IBSA’s YouTube channel.

Afterwards, the Brazilian team will head to the Nottingham Grand Prix from 11-12 April and the Baku Grand Prix from 11-12 May.

Check out the full team for Montreal 2020:

Giulia Dos Santos Pereira (women’s up to 48kg)
Karla Ferreira Cardoso (women’s up to 52kg)
Maria Nubea Lins (women’s up to 52kg)
Lúcia Araújo Teixeira (women’s up to 57kg)
Alana Maldonado (women’s up to 70kg)
Meg Emmerich (women’s over 70kg)
Rebeca Silva (women’s over 70kg)
Thiego Marques (men’s up to 60kg)
Luan Pimentel (men’s up to 73kg)
Harlley Arruda (men’s up to 81kg)
Arthur Cavalcante (men’s up to 90kg)