The Mexican delegation had a remarkable performance at the 2026 Pan American Judo Open in Santo Domingo, achieving a total of seven medals: three gold, two silver, and two bronze. This result highlights the growth of national judokas on the international stage.
The gold medals were won by Paulina Martínez in the -52 kilogram category, Robín Jara in -66 kg, and Gilberto Cardoso in -81 kg. On the other hand, the silver medals went to Norma Cárdenas in -78 kg and Jeremy Olivares in -100 kg. Kassandra Espinoza and Jade Pérez secured bronze medals in the -48 kg category, while Eduardo Araujo also won bronze in -73 kg.
These accomplishments reinforce the presence of Mexican judo on the international scene and contribute to their preparation for the Olympic cycle leading to Los Angeles 2028. Moreover, the results obtained in Santo Domingo represent a valuable opportunity to accumulate points in the world ranking, in the quest for qualification for the Olympic Games.
Regarding the historic medal won by Prisca Awiti at Paris 2024, she achieved a significant milestone by winning the Olympic silver medal in the -63 kilogram category. Awiti, who competed against renowned judokas like the French Clarisse Agbegnenou, started her path to the podium with a decisive victory over Nigara Shaheen, a member of the Refugee Olympic Team. She then advanced to the next rounds with victories over Polish judoka Angelika Szymanska and Austrian Lubjana Piovesana, securing her place in the semifinals.
In the fight for gold, Awiti faced Slovenian Andreja Leški. Although she initially took the lead, Leški managed to turn the situation around and finished the match with a decisive victory, leaving Awiti with the silver medal. This achievement made her the first Mexican judoka to stand on the podium at the Olympic Games, highlighting her performance at Paris 2024 as one of the most significant milestones in national sports.
Source: www.infobae.com
