Cuban Judoka andy Granda Clinches Fifth Pan American Title
SANTIAGO – Cuban judoka Andy Granda (+100 kg) dominated the heavyweight division, securing his fifth title at the Pan American and Oceania Judo Championships in Santiago. Granda’s victory over Brazil’s Rafael buzacarini in the final solidified his reign in the sport.
Granda’s Dominance continues with Fourth Consecutive Win
Granda’s triumph marks his fourth consecutive win in the competition since 2020, after missing the Guadalajara 2021 edition.
The Cuban athlete started strong, achieving an ippon victory against australia’s Kody Andrews in just over a minute.He then defeated José Nova of the Dominican Republic in the semi-finals by hansoku-make.
Team Cuba Secures Additional Medals
Jonathan Loynaz (+100 kg), Granda’s compatriot, earned a bronze medal by defeating Mexico’s Sergio del Sol by yuko, following a semi-final loss too Buzacarini.
Lianet Cardona (78 kg) added another bronze for Cuba,triumphing over Peru’s Camila Figueroa with an ippon in the final seconds of their match,after a repechage win against Venezuela’s Zunilda Chávez.
Naomis Elizarde (+78 kg) also reached the podium, defeating Karra hanna of the Bahamas in under a minute, after losing her semi-final match against Australia’s Sydnee Andrews.
Setbacks for Other Cuban Competitors
Iván Silva (100 kg), a prominent Cuban hopeful, was unable to defeat his previous rival, Robert florentino of the Dominican republic, and withdrew from the repechage due to a “technical decision,” according to commissioner Andrés Taño.
Silva finished in seventh place. Yilian Carvajal (70 kg) finished fifth after losing the bronze medal match against Venezuela’s Eliana Aguilar, while Rubén Romero (81 kg) and Naysdel Cardoso (90 kg) were eliminated in earlier stages of the competition.
Brazil Leads the Medal Count
Brazil dominated the medal table with nine gold medals, with notable victories from Gabriel Falcao (81 kg), Rafael Macedo (90 kg), and Beatriz Souza (+78 kg). Colombia’s Brenda Olaya (78 kg) and Australia’s Aoife Coughlam (70 kg) also secured top positions in their respective categories.
Cuba’s Overall Performance
Cuba finished fourth with a total of one gold, one silver, and four bronze medals, improving their performance compared to the Rio de Janeiro 2024 edition. Brazil led the standings (9-3-4), followed by Canada (1-3-2) and the United States (1-2-2).
How dose Andy Granda’s consistent success impact cuba’s standing in international judo competitions?
Cuban Judoka Andy Granda Clinches Fifth Pan American Title
SANTIAGO – Cuban judoka Andy Granda (+100 kg) dominated the heavyweight division,securing his fifth title at the Pan American and Oceania Judo Championships in Santiago. Granda’s victory over Brazil’s Rafael buzacarini in the final solidified his reign in the sport.
Granda’s Dominance continues with Fourth Consecutive Win
Granda’s triumph marks his fourth consecutive win in the competition as 2020, after missing the Guadalajara 2021 edition.
The Cuban athlete started strong, achieving an ippon victory against australia’s Kody Andrews in just over a minute.He then defeated José Nova of the Dominican republic in the semi-finals by hansoku-make.
Team cuba secures Additional Medals
Jonathan Loynaz (+100 kg), Granda’s compatriot, earned a bronze medal by defeating Mexico’s Sergio del Sol by yuko, following a semi-final loss to Buzacarini.
Lianet Cardona (78 kg) added another bronze for cuba,triumphing over Peru’s Camila Figueroa with an ippon in the final seconds of their match,after a repechage win against Venezuela’s Zunilda Chávez.
naomis Elizarde (+78 kg) also reached the podium, defeating Karra hanna of the Bahamas in under a minute, after losing her semi-final match against Australia’s Sydnee andrews.
Setbacks for Other Cuban Competitors
Iván Silva (100 kg), a prominent Cuban hopeful, was unable to defeat his previous rival, Robert florentino of the Dominican republic, and withdrew from the repechage due to a “technical decision,” according to commissioner Andrés Taño.
Silva finished in seventh place. Yilian Carvajal (70 kg) finished fifth after losing the bronze medal match against Venezuela’s Eliana Aguilar, while Rubén Romero (81 kg) and Naysdel Cardoso (90 kg) were eliminated in earlier stages of the competition.
Brazil Leads the Medal Count
Brazil dominated the medal table with nine gold medals, with notable victories from Gabriel Falcao (81 kg), Rafael Macedo (90 kg), and Beatriz Souza (+78 kg). Colombia’s Brenda Olaya (78 kg) and Australia’s Aoife Coughlam (70 kg) also secured top positions in their respective categories.
Cuba’s Overall Performance
Cuba finished fourth with a total of one gold,one silver,and four bronze medals,improving their performance compared to the Rio de Janeiro 2024 edition. Brazil lead the standings (9-3-4), followed by Canada (1-3-2) and the United States (1-2-2).
Q&A: Pan American Judo Championships
Q: What is the Pan American and Oceania Judo Championships?
A: It’s a prestigious judo tournament that brings together athletes from across the Americas and Oceania to compete for titles and ranking points. This year’s event was held in Santiago, Chile.
Q: Who is Andy Granda, and why is his victory notable?
A: Andy Granda is a Cuban judoka competing in the +100 kg (heavyweight) division. His fifth Pan American title underscores his dominance in the region and solidifies his position as a top contender in the sport.
Q: What is an “ippon” victory?
A: “Ippon” is the ultimate victory in judo; it immediately ends the match. It can be achieved through a forceful throw, a hold for a specific duration, or by submission.
Q: what is “hansoku-make”?
A: “Hansoku-make” is a penalty in judo. It’s given when a player commits serious rule violations. Receiving a hansoku-make results in disqualification and a loss for the player.
Q: How did Cuba perform overall at the championships?
A: Cuba finished fourth in the medal standings, securing one gold, one silver, and four bronze medals. While they showed promise, the team will be looking to build upon this performance to improve in future competitions.
Q: What are some key takeaways from the competition?
A: Andy Granda’s continued dominance, Brazil’s strong overall performance, and the emergence of new talents highlight the dynamism of judo in the Americas. The event also served as valuable preparation for future international competitions.
Q: Where can I find more data about judo rules and upcoming tournaments?
A: Visit the International Judo Federation (IJF) website for the latest updates on rules, rankings, and event schedules.you can also explore judo clubs and associations in your area to learn more about the sport.
Andy Granda’s triumph is a testament to his skill and dedication. Stay tuned for more exciting judo action!
