The Intercolegial finished its 2025 edition with figures that consolidate the competition much more than a school sports championship. During the closing ceremony, which took place last week at the Editora Globo Auditorium, the record participation of student-athletes, the inclusion of the Paralympic category in the games, the anti-racist actions promoted throughout the year and the collection of more than seven tons of food for people in vulnerable situations were celebrated. At 43 years old, the largest student sports movement in the state of Rio de Janeiro reaffirms its mission of training citizens through sport.
- Student competition: The closing ceremony of Intercolegial 2025 announced the expansion of the modalities
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The 2025 edition brought together 170 schools in competitions covering traditional sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, handball, swimming, chess, table tennis and athletics, in addition to incorporating badminton and, for the first time, Paralympic category events. The inclusion of athletes with disabilities in official competitions marks an important chapter in the history of Intercollegial, which now offers equal opportunities for participation and leading roles to all students.
Anti-racism actions also gained prominence during the season, with educational activities, debates and campaigns involving students, teachers and school communities. Intercolegial 2025 has strengthened its commitment to anti-racist education and the promotion of diversity in school sports.
If, on the one hand, the expansion of the event was an important step, on the other hand, in the sporting competition, Santa Mônica Rede de Ensino won the ninth consecutive title in the general classification. With 478 points, the institution overtook Instituto Loide Martha, second, with 458 points, and GEO Doutor Sócrates, third, with 328 points. This result caps a season of consistent performances from the champion, who also won the title in the youth category and runner-up in the free category.
The protagonists of the youth category were precisely the three schools that dominated the general ranking. Santa Mônica won the title with 236 points, closely followed by GEO Doutor Sócrates, who totaled 212 points, and Instituto Loide Martha, third, with 190 points. The fierce competition showed the technical balance between the institutions and the high quality of the competitions throughout the year.
In the free category, the Instituto Loide Martha took its revenge by taking first place, with 217 points. Santa Mônica took second place, with a total of 188 points; while the traditional Colégio Pedro II closed the podium with 171 points. Loide Martha’s victory in the free category was one of the highlights of the season and contributed decisively to her second place overall.
The figures highlight the scope and competitiveness of Intercolegial 2025. Over the months of competitions on courts, fields, swimming pools, mats and tables, the record number of student participation demonstrated that the project continues to expand and is increasingly present in the school life of the State.
One of the organizers of the event, Roberto Garofalo, from Abadai Produções, has followed the evolution of the competition over the four decades and today still dedicates his work to the operational organization of all the games, being responsible for the logistics that allow the competition between hundreds of schools throughout the year. Visibly moved during the closing ceremony, he thanked everyone present and stressed that the true meaning of the competition lies in the schools and the students.
— The Intercolegial only exists with the structure that GLOBO puts in place, that Sesc puts in place, that Caixa puts in place, that Abadai proposes to achieve, but the reason for the tournament is there. And every time I see you, many of whom were students who played, who are now teachers, judges, who are now directors of federations, like the Handball Federation, it makes me completely satisfied and happy with this partnership. So, once again, I thank you for your presence, your encouragement and your trust. Because in reality, we are only repaying the reason of the Intercollegial, that is to say you — he declared.
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In addition to sports competitions, Intercolegial 2025 has strengthened its social dimension through Intersolidário, an initiative that mobilizes participating schools to collect non-perishable foods for Mesa Brasil, a Sesc program that helps people in vulnerable situations in different regions of the state.
Another highlight of the 2025 edition is the Senac Rio Summit Award, which promotes student engagement. The initiative rewards the school that brings together the greatest number of students to participate in intercollegiate activities. GEO Felix Miéle Venerando won the trophy and the R$5,000 prize by taking 78 students to the closing event, demonstrating his ability to involve his school community in the project.
The 2025 edition also marked the debut of Caixa Econômica Federal as an official sponsor of Intercolegial, joining historic partners O GLOBO and Sesc. The latter has actively participated in the project celebrations since 2016 and was represented at the ceremony by Councilor Natan Shipper.
The inclusion of the Paralympic category in 2025 represents an important step in the democratization of access to competitive school sport. The anti-racist actions developed throughout the year contribute to the construction of a fairer and more egalitarian environment. The record participation of students demonstrates that Intercollegial remains alive and relevant for new generations.
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