The “Canarian army” was one of the great winners of the day that put the culmination of the 7th Spanish Veterans Championship that, since Friday, has been held in Gran Canaria.
The Sunday event served to highlight the high level exhibited by the Canarian delegation, who finished in second place in the medal table with a total of seven gold medals, three silver y bronze ninealthough Madrid was the dominant autonomous community with thirteen gold metals, fourteen silver and eleven bronze. Andalusia ranked third with seven golds, three silvers and seven bronzes.
SEVEN CANARY GOLD MEDALS
The seven Canarian champions who rose to the top of the podium were the judokas from CD Purple, Yolanda Tabuyo Álvarez a -70 F4 kg, Alfonso Cabral in -100 M7 kg, Francisco José Pérez Fernández a -90 M8 k, Ruben Mendoza at -90 M4 kg and Jorge Silva at +100 M5 kg. Besides, Diego Francisco Marrero Ramos won the gold in -66 M6 kg, and the Tenerife native Lupicino Diaz in -100 M2 kg.
The stands of the Gran Canaria Arena were dressed up, for the second consecutive day, to see 173 judokas from 16 different regions in action, some of whom have become Spanish, European and Olympic champions.
A WEEKEND FOR HISTORY
The Canary Islands in general and Gran Canaria, in particular, became the nerve center of judo in Spain for the first time in 70 years and the bet did not disappoint with a perfect organization that invites us to think about the possible future celebration of an international event. .
The parity in the number of participants between men and women in the Iberdrola senior Spanish championship held yesterday with 154 girls and 151 girls is a notable fact that speaks volumes about the contribution of judo in Canarian society.
AWARD FOR A LEGEND, ANTONIO CORUÑA
The gala in honor of the 75 years of the Royal Spanish Federation of Judo and Associated Sports (RFEJYDA)which took place at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium last night, awarded the maestro Joaquín Ruiz Llorente “Quino”who was awarded the ninth dan. For its part, Francisco José Pérez Fernández, Rafael Ángel Pérez Fernández and Santiago Cano Sevilla They received the seventh dan of judo, being the highest degrees awarded to Canarian judokas in this edition.
In the same way, the invaluable work of public institutions was recognized in the form of a gift given Juan Carlos Barcosre-elected this year president of the Spanish Judo Federation.
Without a doubt, the most special recognition was that received by the historic Antonio Coruñapresident of the Canarian Judo Federation and main architect of the Spanish senior and veteran championship landing in the Canary Islands. An award given to him by the president of the IOC, Alejandro Blanco.
The 71st edition of the Iberdrola Senior Spanish Judo and Associated Sports Championship and the Spanish Veterans Championship is organized by the Royal Spanish Judo Federation, sponsored by Iberdrola and promoted by Higher Sports Council, he Government of the Canary Islands, he Cabildo of Gran Canaria and the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council.