Unidos do Viradouro fulfilled what it promised and washed its soul in Sapucaí in 2020. The school won its second title in history this Wednesday (26), with the theme "Viradouro de Alma Lavada." It last won a title in 1997.
The theme paid homage to the black washerwomen of Lagoa do Abaeté, in Salvador.
"It's the best feeling in the world," said the school's president, Marcelinho Calil. "We deserve a lot. I know that all schools work, they deserve it. But we deserve a lot too. We already paraded last year, we already had a great parade, we were close. And this year, we were awarded that title."
The school had been demoted in 2015 and only returned to the special group three years later, in 2018. Last year, it was in second place behind Mangueira.
The dispute was very fierce this year until the end. The champion was only decided on the last item of the judges—harmony—when it scored 269.6 points. Viradouro had the same score as Grande Rio, but won on the tiebreaker criteria.
Viradouro was the second school to enter the avenue on Sunday night (23), with an impeccable presentation that started with a mermaid inside an aquarium. It was swimmer Anna Veloso.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon