ESPN snaps up Brazilian judo coverage

Sports broadcaster ESPN has sealed a rights deal with the Brazilian Judo Confederation.

The agreement will cover 2018, with at least 10 events operated by the Confederation set to be shown on ESPN before the end of the year.

The first event will be the Super Judo Challenge on March 31, with other events on the calendar including the Brazil Interclubs Trophy, the Mixed National Grand Prix, the International Grand Prix of Clubs and the third stage of the selection competition for the Tokyo 2020 summer Olympic Games.

The rights cover multiple platforms.

Carlos Maluf, ESPN’s director of acquisitions, programming and new business, said: “This will allow us to broaden our content offerings for sports fans. As the most successful Olympic sport for Brazil, judo will receive special attention, not only at events, but throughout our coverage.”

Brazilian judokas have been on the podiums at each of the past nine editions of the summer Olympics.

Judo has also produced 22 medal-winners in the history of the Games – more than any other sport – while Rafaele Silva (pictured) claimed gold in the women’s 57kg category at the Rio 2016 summer Olympics.