The Portuguese judoka Telma Monteiro published, this Monday morning, several criticisms of the Portuguese Judo Federation. The Olympic medalist revealed that the federation led by Jorge Fernandes fired the coach Ana Hormigo with a message from E-mail, the day before the team travels to play the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, qualifying for the Olympic Games. “When they ask me how things are going with the federation… they tell me this: Tomorrow I am going to travel to the competition, my first time after knee surgery. Today, the federation has fired the coach Ana Hormigo, by email, the day before the team’s trip! Without the team or team knowing about it in advance. In the week of the Olympic qualifying competition,” the Portuguese judoka wrote.
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The Benfica judoka also complains of having undergone surgery and having paid these expenses with her own money, in addition to the expenses with international internships. Telma Monteiro was one of the seven judokas who this year signed a letter denouncing the “unsustainable and toxic climate” in the Portuguese Judo Federation.
At the end of the publication, Telma Monteiro especially addressed Ana Hormigo, who is also her coach at Benfica.
“For you, Ana Hormigo: As an athlete, I want in some way to continue counting on your presence in competitions and I hope that the responsible entities intervene in this regard. As a friend I tell you that I am glad that you no longer have to deal directly with this institution. How lucky!” she concluded.
Source: TSF
