Judokas from 17 countries will participate next weekend in the Pan-American Open that will be held in the Cuban resort of Varadero.
The event, which will take place on April 8 and 9, is a qualifier for the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile and will distribute points for the world and Olympic rankings towards the Paris 2024 event. according to review the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
According to the announced program, on Saturday the divisions of 48, 52, 57 and 63 kg (f), and 60, 66 and 73 kg (m) will be competed, while on Sunday the 70, 78 and +78 kg (f ), and the 81, 90, 100 and +100 kg (m), adds the report.
Cuba will have the largest delegation of the event, with 50 men and 42 women, more than half of the 159 registered judokas. The United States (6 men and 18 women) and Colombia (3 and 7) follow the island in number of athletes.
The host country will also have its main figures, led by multi-champion Idalis Ortiz (+78 kg) and the current world champion Andy Granda (+100 kg), the best Cuban currently ranked in the world.
Other relevant judokas for Cuba will be Maylín del Toro (63 kg), Magdiel Estrada (73 kg) and Iván Silva (90 kg), according to Rafael Manso, president of the Cuban Judo Federation.
Two bronzes for Cuban judo at the end of the Tbilisi Grand Slam
The main athletes of the island come from completing training bases and from participating in important tournaments in Europe and Asia, including several Grand Slams. For them, the Varadero Open will be one of the last stops before the 2023 Doha World Championship scheduled for May 7-14.
In addition, along with the highest level, the Cuban resort will also fight in other categories.
According to the ACN, from Wednesday to Friday the under 13 and 15 judokas will take part in the so-called Ronaldo Veitía Cup, named after the disappeared Cuban coach.
In the same way, tournaments under 18 (cadets) and under 21 (junior) will be held, as well as a competition for veteran judokas.
