Peruvian Judo: A Year of Triumphs and a Vision for the Future
Peruvian judo has experienced a remarkable year of growth and consolidation, culminating in a historic milestone: hosting a World Cup event. This achievement, coupled with significant improvements in organizational structure and sporting performance across all levels, has positioned Peruvian judo as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
María Martínez, President of the Peruvian Judo Federation, reflects on the year’s successes, highlighting the federation’s commitment to strengthening the sport’s foundations. “We’ve dedicated ourselves to bolstering the technical base, providing unwavering support to referees, coaches, athletes, leaders, and judo enthusiasts across all categories,” she explains. “Our focus has been on fostering their comprehensive development.”
This dedication manifested in Peru hosting an extraordinary 11 international judo events in 2024, showcasing its capacity to organize high-caliber competitions. These events included prestigious tournaments like the Cadet and Junior Pan American Cups, the Pan American Open, and the Cadet World Championships, both individual and mixed team events.”These tournaments have not only provided our national judokas with invaluable opportunities to compete against international rivals,” says Martínez, “but they have also firmly established Peru as a leading judo hub in the region.”
A legacy of Success and emerging Stars
Peruvian judokas have achieved remarkable success in 2024, securing 63 international medals in continental and world-level competitions.These achievements,alongside crucial qualifications for the Olympic and Pan American Games,are a testament to the athletes’ dedication and the coaches’ technical expertise.
Beyond the medals, Martínez emphasizes the importance of other achievements that often go unnoticed. “Training courses, national events, dissemination programs, seminars, miniprix, and national cups are all vital components of our success,” she notes.
The year has witnessed the rise of several promising judokas.Established figures like Camila Figueroa,Daryl Yamamoto,Yuta Galarreta,Javier Saavedra,and Marian flores have continued to excel,consistently demonstrating their talent and securing impressive results on the international stage.
A new generation of judokas is also making its mark. Franco Baltasar, Luciana julca, Driulys rivas, Carla Leon, Mateo Condor, and Hillary Lam are emerging as formidable contenders, already claiming international medals and ensuring a shining future for Peruvian judo.
Leading this new wave is Juan Postigos,a four-time olympian whose illustrious career serves as an inspiration to the younger generation.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Foundations and Aiming for Los Angeles 2028
Martínez outlines the federation’s priorities for her second term (2025-2028), which will focus on strengthening technical foundations, decentralizing sports activities, and prioritizing youth development.
“We aim to consolidate training programs for coaches and enhance the infrastructure available to our athletes,” she explains.
The 2025 calendar promises to be packed with exciting events, including the Pan American Junior Championships in Asuncion and the Bolivarian games in Ayacucho and Lima. Peru is also set to host at least 12 international events, further solidifying its position as a judo powerhouse.
With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon,the main objective is to secure multiple Olympic qualifications and surpass Peru’s previous judo performance at the Games. This will involve implementing specialized training programs and strategically participating in qualifying events.
“One of the cornerstones of judo in Peru is ensuring the quality of our national competitions,” Martínez emphasizes. ”The 2024 National Championship in Ayacucho, which mirrored the standards of the Cadet World Championship, is a prime example. This not only elevates the technical level of our competitors but also professionalizes the association of our tournaments.”
Martínez acknowledges the crucial role of the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD) under the leadership of Federico Tong. “The IPD’s support has been instrumental in achieving our goals,” she states. “Through constant interaction and collaboration, we are securing the resources and support our athletes need to excel.”
The successful bid for lima 2027, symbolized by carlos Zegarra’s jubilant leap, exemplifies the passion and strategic vision driving Peruvian sport forward.
Looking ahead, Martínez expresses her excitement about witnessing the growth of Peruvian judokas, both as athletes and individuals. “Knowing that every effort contributes to the development of judo in our country is a constant source of motivation,” she concludes.
Peruvian judo: From Grassroots Growth too Global Stage
Maria Martinez, President of the Peruvian Judo Federation, rightfully calls 2024 a “remarkable year” for Peruvian judo. Its not hyperbole.the past year has witnessed a seismic shift in the sport’s standing within Peru and on the international stage.
This surge isn’t solely due to impressive podium finishes, although those are noteworthy. Peruvian judokas brought home a commendable 63 international medals from continental and world-level competitions, earning crucial qualifications for both the Olympic and Pan American Games. This success underlines the tangible progress made at the elite level.
What truly elevates Peruvian judo’s narrative is the strategic foundation laid for sustained success. The federation’s focus on bolstering the technical base, supporting athletes, coaches, referees, and enthusiasts across all categories, hasn’t merely been lip service. It’s been reflected in action.
Hosting a staggering 11 international judo events, including prestigious tournaments like the Cadet and Junior Pan american Cups, the Pan american Open, and both individual and mixed team Cadet World Championships, is a powerful statement. This ambition not onyl provides invaluable international exposure for Peruvian judokas but also firmly establishes Peru as a regional judo hub.
the meaning of this hosting prowess cannot be understated. It fosters knowledge sharing, elevates coaching standards, and attracts global attention to Peruvian judo – a crucial step in building a sustainable high-performance culture.
Moving beyond the medals and headlines, Ms. Martinez highlights other crucial elements: training courses, national events, dissemination programs, seminars, miniprix, and national cups. These initiatives demonstrate a holistic approach to judo development, nurturing talent from the grassroots level upwards. It’s this dedication to all facets of the sport that promises a bright and sustainable future for Peruvian judo.
While the recent accomplishments are certainly cause for festivity, the true measure of success lies in the long-term impact of these initiatives.The legacy built this year will only truly be realized in the years to come, as the next generation of Peruvian judokas rise to take their place on the mat.
The world is watching. peruvian judo has arrived.
