Preview Pan American Judo Championships Lima

Brazil and Canada seemed to be the two most dominant nations in this moment at the forthcoming Judo Pan American Championships held in Lima, Peru, this week. The Pan Americans are strong at level in both heavyweight categories but perhaps the most eye-catching division in for women U57kg. However Jessica Klimkait will be missing in Lima, so no Canadian clash, but perhaps Christa Deguchi and Rafaela Silva may battle as highest seeded players.

It's that time of the year that most continental championships are held. In another era, Cuba, was a very dominant judo country, but it lost ground in the last decade but still have the legend Idalys Ortiz. In the women’s heavyweight competition she might be opposed to Brazils two heavyweights Maria Suelen Altheman and Beatriz Souza. Maylin Del Toro is the one to beat in the women’s U63kg, the Cuban stylist the highest seed in this class. World runner-up Ivan Felipe Silva Morales is the big favourite U90kg.

BRAZIL

Brazil though is the most dominant nation for the last ten years with in Lima lots of title candidates. Double World Champion Mayra Aguiar is the only World Ranking leader for Pan American and obviously title favourite U78kg unless Kaliema Antomarchi (CUB) can upset her as a belated birthday present. Furthermore Brazil has the best seeds in the weight categories U60kg and U66kg and men U100kg and +100kg. Brazil has David Moura and Rafael Silva who are still (and like always) in a battle for an Olympic ticket. Likely both will appear at the World Championships, but the Panams are again another challenge.

Canada dominates the middle categories in Lima with U73kg where a battle between Arthur Margelidon and Antoine Bouchard is expected. Magdiel Estrada is the outsider in this weight class. Also a strong Canadian line-up U81kg with Etienne Briand and Antoine Valois-Fortier who are the best seeded athletes. Canada must be able to gain two gold medals here. With perhaps success U57kg the aim for three is achieved, who would possibly say that some years ago.

You would expect Brazil to be more dominant in the women’s weight classes but in fact only Mayra Aguiar and Maria Portela U70kg have the number one seed in Lima. This U70kg weight class is quite Pan American with the likes of Portela, Perez and Zupancic high in the World Ranking.

PARETO

Obviously Paula Pareto, the former World and current Olympic Champion is the power women from Argentina and the big favourite in Lima U48kg. Angelica Delgado is the highest seeded U52kg and best seeded American anyway. The US lost ground in judo and Delgado might set a career milestone in Lima although there are some good challengers in this class like Brazil’s Larissa Pimenta who is in shape and always Ecaterina Guica (CAN).

Rookies still can’t get a lot of grip on the experienced fighters of Pan America. Some women have a huge experience like Pareto, Roper, Portela, Perez and Ortiz. In the men’s division only Silva and Moura have passed the 30.

The Pan American Judo Championships start on Thursday.