Brazil banking on judokas to boost Rio medal haul

Rafaela Silva of Brazil reacts during her victory over Poland's Arleta Podolak in their women's under 57kg bronze medal match at the Paris International Grand Slam judo tournament, France, February 6, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A considerable part of Brazil's Olympic hopes will rest with its Judo team, whose four medals were the most the nation earned in any sport at the 2012 London Games.

The 14-member team, and in particular the women, are hoping to improve on that mark in Rio de Janeiro and help Brazil end a history of poor medal hauls compared with other large countries.