SUPERMODEL ADRIANA LIMA SPARS WITH RIO KIDS FROM LAUREUS PROJECT AHEAD OF OLYMPICS

• Brazilian model inspires youngsters from favela project Luta Pela Paz
• IWC Brand Ambassador says: ‘I feel very honoured to have the chance to be in the ring and share my passion with these children’
• Click here for more information on Laureus Sport for Good

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26, 2016 – In the lead-up to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima visited Laureus-supported Luta Pela Paz project (Fight for Peace) in the favelas of Rio.

Luta Pela Paz, which has been supported by Laureus since 2004, combines martial arts with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities affected by crime, violence and social exclusion. During the visit, martial arts enthusiast Lima interacted with the young people, sparring with them in the ring and inspiring them outside of it.

Since 2005, IWC Schaffhausen has been a dedicated Global Partner of Laureus Sport for Good. In her role as IWC Brand Ambassador, Lima took time out of her hectic schedule to invest her time in young people in her home country.  

“I feel very honoured to have the chance to be in the ring and share my passion for boxing with these children,” said Lima. “This project improves their self-esteem and allows them to find value in themselves and understand what they’re capable of. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Through boxing and other combat sports, Luta Pela Paz in Rio de Janeiro and its partner organisation in London focus on five key areas in order to engage with and develop the skills of young people both in and out of the boxing ring. These include boxing and martial arts, education, employability, social support and youth leadership. The final aim is to empower young people to be champions in life.  

Roberto Custodio, a Luta Pela Paz participant, has benefited from the work of the project in helping provide direction in his life. “Sport transforms, teaches us many things that only sport can teach to make our life more complete, like determination, resilience, companionship, care and humility,” said Laureus Real Hero Roberto. “I have seen so many young people in this community totally lost, without any idea of what to do. Now Luta Pela Paz is an option for them.”

In the Complexo da Maré favela, where Lutz Pela Paz operates, openly armed adolescents have traditionally patrolled the streets. The success of the project has already become palpable: Recent results show that children who attend the project are 68% less likely to commit a crime or carry a weapon. 

Earlier this year, Swiss luxury watch manufacturer introduced the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Edition ‘Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’ (Ref.459006). The timepiece is limited to 1500 pieces worldwide and is the tenth special edition IWC created to support Laureus. The engraving on the case back features a drawing by Eleni Partakki from Cyprus showing girls and boys playing with a ball. The 16-year-old is a participant of a Laureus project that actively encourages Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot boys and girls to play basketball together.

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