The Multipurpose Palace of Guadalajara will host the Judo festival in Guadalajara on November 3, with the first ‘Pepe Merino‘ Trophy, a non-competitive event with which the Guadalajara City Council and the sports schools of this city pay tribute. discipline who for 60 years has made Judo history in the city.
This was announced by the Councilor for Sports, Armengol Engonga, together with José Andrés Merino, Aylu Judo School teacher; and Alberto López Prado, Inokuma Dojo teacher, in addition to Pepe Merino himself, who at 83 continues to teach judo classes in Guadalajara and was “overwhelmed” by this recognition, as reported by the City Council in a press release.
Engonga recalled that “after a brief stay in Madrid, on February 4, 1965, Pepe Merino was already giving his first judo class in Guadalajara”, and pointed out that apart from making history with judo in Guadalajara, “it is “a very kind and loved person by many citizens and athletes who have practiced judo with him, directly or indirectly.”
Furthermore, the Sports Councilor thanked the collaboration of the two judo schools in the city, Aylu and Dojo Inokuma, to launch this trophy, “which I hope will continue for many years”, while announcing that it is expected the participation of 150 children in this first Trophy, “which will not be competitive, but rather a great judo festival.”
José Andrés Merino, Aylu Judo School teacher, and son of the honoree, has invited all the citizens of Guadalajara who wish to, all the people who practice judo or who have practiced it in their history in these 60 years, “to come to the Multipurpose Palace, put on your judogi and enjoy a great day of judo and many memories”.
Merino Jr. has announced that some champions will be present on this day of celebration, “such as Joaquín Ruiz, who is the coach of the only Olympic medal we have had this year in Paris, or Orge Cano, who was the winner of the Zagreb Grand Prix. in 2013”, while pointing out that some will not be able to come, like Fran Garrigos, as they are convalescing.
TWO OR THREE FIGHTS
The activity will take place with all the kids facing two or three fights in three rounds of competition, “where everyone receives a prize”, and with a central tatami for the coexistence meetings or master class.
For his part, Alberto López Prado, Dojo Inokuma teacher, highlighted that “Pepe Merino deserves this tribute, and although we are from different schools we wanted to participate in it.”
Pepe Merino himself emotionally confessed himself “overwhelmed by so much affection”, and highlighted that there have been many people by his side in these years and supporting Judo “and without them this would not have worked”, expressly quoting the journalist Bernabé Relaño, to the former Councilor for Sports, Eladio Freijo, “and to entire families like the Román or the Higueras, linked to judo in Guadalajara”, also highlighting the fact that Guadalajara has one of the five world Judo referees that exist in Spain and that he is his own son or that in this city for more than 30 years it has been possible to obtain a decent qualification for judo without interruption.
“If there is one thing I am proud of what Judo has given me in these 60 years, it is the physical condition I have, but above all that it has made me the happiest man in the world,” concluded Pepe Merino.
