PERU WINS TWO MEDALS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANAMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS SENIORS AT VIDENA

The Pan American Games started  echoing at VIDENA facilities, when Peruvians Juan Manuel Postigos and Brillith Gamarra won bronze medals at the beginning of the Judo Panamerican Championships Seniors, a competition awarding points for the world ranking and the first test event for the upcoming Lima 2019 Games.

Gamarra won the bronze in the 52 kg category, followed by Postigos who was runner-up in the 66 kg category. Postigos won the silver after a tough battle against the Brazilian Daniel Cargin, who took home the gold medal.

Both judokas are part of the Peruvian team that will represent Peru in Lima 2019.

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY

The continental event started at 15:00, with the presence of Carlos Neuhaus, Lima 2019 executive director, the president of the Peruvian Judo Federation, Carlos Zegarra, as well as the representative of the Panamerican Judo Confederation, Manuel Larrañaga, who highlighted Lima 2019 organization.

"It is a pleasure to welcome such outstanding judokas from 29  countries of the Americas. We want to do our best to provide a great competition. This event will help Lima 2019 to check details that may arise during the Pan American Games. Enjoy the tournament and Peru,” said Neuhaus.

The president of the Peruvian Judo Federation, Carlos Zegarra, showed his gratitude to the organization. "This tournament is a dream come true for our sport that would not have been possible without the great support of Lima 2019," said Zegarra, who was also a Pan American medalist in Rio 2007.

IMPORTANT EVENT

The Championship will be held until April 28 at no cost for the general public. It will bring together judokas from Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Panama, Guatemala, Canada, Cuba, Costa Rica, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Haiti, Chile, Jamaica, Mexico, Aruba, Peru, Canada, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Bahamas, Uruguay, El Salvador, and Barbados.

Olympic champions as the Argentinian Paula Pareto confirmed their competition level on the first day with the gold in the 48 kg-category. In turn, the Ecuadorian Lenin Preciado won in the 60 kg-category.

Action will resume tomorrow and the Peruvian competitors will be: Ariana Cornejo (-63 kg), Xsara Morales (-70 kg), Alonso Wong (-73 kg), Jesús Gavidia (-73 kg), and Luis Ángeles (-81 kg). The event will start at 09:30 and medal combats will take place at 15:00. This schedule is valid for all competition days.