Brazilian Adventist Athlete Secures Right to Observe Sabbath During Judo Exams

Tiago Corte de Alencar, a Seventh-day Adventist lawyer and amateur judoka, recently won a legal case allowing him to reschedule mandatory judo certification exams that conflicted with his observance of the Sabbath. The case, filed against the São Paulo Judo Federation, highlights ongoing questions around religious freedom and inclusion in sports and public life. Alencar observes the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, a central belief for Seventh-day Adventists, but faced scheduling challenges as he progressed in judo. Certification exams, required to advance to higher belts, are administered by the São Paulo Judo Federation and traditionally held on Saturdays....