Olympic gold has many uses. Just ask Rafaela Silva, the 24-year-old Brazilian fighter who won the gold medal in judo in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 8, and now has become a trophy of sorts herself.
Silva had just dispatched the world's best fighters in the 57-kg class to get to the top of the podium. And yet instead of reveling, she broke down and wept, and looked like she might even have buckled had her coach not been there to prop her up and mop down the tears.
A friend of mine, a martial arts aficionado, said he was impressed by Silva's fight — but even more by its aftermath. "Medalists from other countries smile and revel in their feats," Andre told me. "Brazilians weep."
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