Julio Cesar de Oliveira of Brazil winner of the Javelin Throw in Sherbrooke (© Getty Images)
In 2003, Brazilian Júlio César Miranda de Oliveira showed the World that his country wasn’t only about sprinters and jumpers, and at the World Youth Championships in Sherbooke, Canada he became the emperor of the Javelin Throw.
The 2004 season has him already at the top of the World Junior lists after improving twice his National junior record, and his 74.42m performance makes him a favourite in Tuscany.
For Athletics fans in Brazil, Júlio César is very well known, but for those who haven’t heard much about him, here is how he presents himself.
“I was born in Paranavaí, in the State of Paraná, and started in athletics at the age of 11. The most influential people in my athletics life have been my parents and my friends.”
“I train in São Caetano do Sul, near São Paulo, 6 times per week, 3 hours per day.”
“My coach is João Paulo Alves da Cunha, and among my training partners are Luiz Fernando da Silva, the National record holder in the Javelin and Elisângela Adriano, the South American record holder for the Shot and the Discus.”
“Winning the World Youth title in Sherbrooke was something amazing. The most important feeling was to realize that all those years of training and sacrificing paid off with that wonderful result.”
“I remember competing and winning a World Title, and I still cannot believe it. Today it still feels like a dream.”
“For Grosseto I have prepared very well physically. Now I have to complete all that with the psychological approach that will get me ready for such an important event.”
“2004 has been a very important year, were I have already improved the National junior record, won the Troféu Brasil, and beat the Luiz Fernando, who is my training partner and the National record holder. Now my only goal is to get to Grosseto in good shape, and be ready to perform.”
“I had a little case of tendonitis in my throwing elbow (his right arm), but I have been under treatment, and thank God, now I’m almost fully recovered.”
“I don’t know much about my rivals, but I remember Australian Joshua Robinson from the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston, and I will have to watch out for him, and others who have very good performances.”
“Grosseto represents a great chance for me to win another medal at a World Championship, and I don’t want to let it go.”
Júlio César Miranda de Oliveira
Born in Paranavaí, Paraná, 4 February 1986. 1.85m, 94Kg.
Coached by João Paulo Alves da Cunha.
2003 World Youth Champion, 2003 Pan-American Junior Champion; 2002-03 South American Junior Champion; 2004 National Champion.
74.42m National Junior Record.
His competitions of 2004
71.13 1 Salowicz São Paulo 13 March
67.22 1 São Caetano do Sul 20 March
70.91 3 Yamamoto São Caetano do Sul 27 March
66.76 1 São Paulo 3 April
69.05 2 São Paulo 17 April
66.27 1 Rivarola Asunción 25 April
73.19 NR-j 2 SAmGP Porto Alegre 1 May
69.96 2 NC-U23 Porto Alegre 9 May
74.42 NR-j 3 GP Rio de Janeiro 16 May
72.64 5 Caixa Belém 23 May
73.74 1 NC São Paulo 6 June
71.49 2 SAmC-U23 Barquisimeto 26 June
