The province of Jujuy became the epicenter of Argentine judo by hosting the 2024 Clausura National Championship, which ended successfully last weekend. This event brought together more than 1,200 judokas from all over the country, belonging to 15 federations, and resulted in an outstanding harvest of medals for various provinces.
The tournament took place in the “Silver Cup” throughout the week, with categories that included Children A and B, Novice Cadet, Graduate Cadet, Junior Novice, Junior Graduate, Kyu Novice and Graduate, and Senior. In addition, it had the participation of representatives from the Argentine Judo Confederation, provincial federations and government authorities, who accompanied the athletes in this great sports festival.
From the capital of Entre Ríos, the Dojo Pantera of the Paraná Central Club, directed by Professor Andres Gómez and the logistics graduate Romina Bordón. In the north of Argentina the judokas stomped Lorena Larroza plus the brothers Jano y Natasha Cabaña. A He spoke with the three athletes from Parana and their coach, Andres Gómezabout his participation in the Clausura.
In the Graduated Kyu category up to 70kg, Lorena Larrozainstructor and future Dan of the Pantera Dojo, took second place. “It’s good to have a podium but I would have liked to be in first position. Anyway, for me it’s a lot. I always try to continue training so that “In the future I can take revenge.”declared the judoka.
“Everything depends on you and what you have to do. Reaching the national championship is already a great achievement because you rub shoulders with the best in the country. “There are three, four or five fights that you have to fight and you have to give the maximum of your potential.”He added, referring to the level of Judo in Argentina.
For Larroza it was the first final in the category and this is how he experienced it: “Since I’ve been doing Judo, it’s the first time I’ve reached a final. I was in the ring with the best athlete in my category and I managed to put up a great fight. “I don’t lose hope of getting first position in the future.”
“Now I have to continue training and help my teammates who are going to perform in December. next year We start with the preseason in January-February and we will focus on the Master, which will be for people over 30 years old. Those are the goals from now on. “Continue training and be a little better than today”closed the judoka who obtained second position in the Graduated Kyu category up to 70kg.
Lorena Larrosa
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UNOER/ Alan Barbosa
In the Child category A up to 42 kg, Natasha Cabaña She was national runner-up. This is how he told it: “I am very happy. I feel that The result came because we worked hard. In addition, our teacher supported us at every moment and helped us reach this tournament in the best way.”
“I reached the final because of the work of the entire group. My mentality was, from the beginning, to play the last duel in my category and I was able to achieve it so I feel satisfied with my performance.”he added, highlighting the work of Dojo Pantera with its judokas.
“Sport generates passion and love in me. Judo is family. My Dojo is family. It fills my heart to come to train. I have been practicing it for two years”closed Natasha, 12 years old.
Natasha Cabaña, from Dojo Pantera
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UNOER/ Alan Barbosa
Jano Cabañahis brother, who arrived with discomfort in his shoulder due to an injury, was eliminated in the quarterfinals, where he took the champion of his category to a golden fight (golden point).
“The championship was very nice. I had a good time. Maybe we didn’t have the result you wanted but I felt good fighting and with what I could do. I went to Jujuy knowing that I had a shoulder injury that prevented me from training for the last two weeks before the tournament. The same way, everything was given. As usual”the Paranaense judoka made clear.
“In Jujuy I competed with the best in Argentina. “It is a pleasure to be able to go to a national tournament and fight with great judokas.”He added, happy to participate once again in a national competition at just 18 years old.
“Judo gives me satisfaction. Being able to do this sport frees your mind. That’s why I come without the desire to train but when you get on the tatami you forget everything.”hill.
Jano Cabaña
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UNOER/ Alan Barbosa
Finally, Andres Gómezinstructor at Dojo Pantera, was happy with the performances of his students: “What we achieved was terrible. We were convinced that we were going to bring something from Jujuy but not in the way it happened. “They were two high-level silver medals.”
“The sport is growing by leaps and bounds. In addition to these three boys who went to compete in the national, many come to the Dojo to experience the sport. Little by little they are getting closer and the intention is to continue growing”said.
In turn, he closed: “For next year we are putting together a social project in which one or two days a week they will have free judo. Everyone. From the smallest to the oldest. We hope it will be massive.”
