Puertorican Adrian Gandia fights for second Olympic appearance

One of those athletes who wants to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris, Adrian Gandia from San Juan Puerto Rico is well underway for a second edition.

Gandia's fame in judo started by competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he faced the world champion Matthias Casse (BEL) in the first round. He has been competing in Senior World Championships since 2015 and participated in Cadet and Junior world events. Notably, Adrian won the Pan American Championship -81kg in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2020, becoming the first Puerto Rican male to win this title in twenty years. He also secured a bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Open in Medellin and contributed to his team's gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games team event in Nanjing in 2014.

He has made a name for himself in the world of judo. With a career marked by significant achievements and personal sacrifices, representing Puerto Rico with pride.

He began his judo career in 2004 at the San Francisco Judo Club in San Juan. Inspired by his father's involvement in Jiu Jitsu, he quickly developed a passion for judo. His preferred techniques include Tai-Otoshi and Uchi-Mata. Adrian has trained in various locations, including Madrid, the Munich Olympic training center, and currently with the Israeli National Team in Netanya, Israel. His personal coach is Liad Acco (ISR).

Personal Life

Adrian's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in International Business from EU Business School, obtained in 2023. He speaks English, German, and Spanish fluently. His partner, Adi Grossman, along with his family, including his father Miguel, mother Maridalys, and brother Alejandro, have been a significant support system throughout his career.

Adrian credits his family as the most influential figures in his life, especially his parents who encouraged him to follow his dreams, even when it meant moving to different countries for better training opportunities. His brother Alejandro has also been a crucial training partner. Adrian looks up to wrestler David Taylor (USA), a 2020 Olympic champion, as his idol.

Beyond his judo career, he has ambitions to start a brewery, combining his passion for brewing beer with his entrepreneurial spirit. He also aims to spend quality time with his future family and share the knowledge he has gained as an Olympic athlete by giving back to the community.

Let’s see if he can keep his current status in Abu Dhabi qualified based on the continental quota.