Author: Andrés Felipe Ramos Gámez
Silently, Daniela Gálvez Tabares showed that Quindío is growing in judo.
In addition to the medal, classifications to the quarterfinals and round of 16 were achieved that were not planned.
Judo gave a pleasant surprise to Quindío in the I National and Paranational Youth Games Eje Cafetero 2024, thanks to the bronze won by Daniela Gálvez Tabares. Their outstanding participation exceeded expectations in a discipline traditionally dominated by powers such as Valle del Cauca and Antioquia, marking a milestone for the department.
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Daniela won the bronze medal in the women’s 70 kilogram category, facing high-level rivals, many with experience in international competitions. With effort and determination, he showed that judo is beginning to consolidate in the region.
In the semifinals, Gálvez Tabares defeated Laury Silvana Reyes Amaris, from Santander, in an exciting fight that left her on the verge of the final. However, in the next match, Mariana Giraldo from Antioquia, one of the outstanding figures of the tournament, took away the possibility of competing for gold. Despite the defeat, Daniela did not give up.
In the fight for bronze, she faced Hellen Tatiana Ortiz Castaño, from Sucre, whom she overwhelmingly beat with a score of 11-0. This victory assured him third place on the podium, a medal that for Quindío has the shine of gold.
With this achievement, Quindian judo is projected as a growing discipline, showing that talent and preparation can open space in scenarios where it was not a protagonist before.
Other participations
Although, at the time of going to press, Daniela’s medal was the only one won by Quindío in this discipline, we cannot leave aside the other performances where the coffee growers were present.
In a sport that is new for Quindío compared to the rest of the country, it is worth taking into account Matías Buitrago, who participated in the round of 16 of the men’s 60 kilograms; Brayan Contreras, in the men’s 66 kilograms, reached the quarterfinals; Steven Rendón reached the same instance, but at 81 kilograms.
The department has its base for first-level challenges, now the bet is to add experience, minutes of combat to achieve tickets to the National and Paranational Sports Games to be held in 2027 in Sucre and Córdoba.
