Experienced judoka take gold at Panam Open Buenos Aires

Spain was the most successful country at the first day of the Pan American Open in Buenos Aires. The strong team of just 6 Spanish in action won four medals. Sugoi Uriarte seemed to secure his participation at the Olympic Games in Rio with gold U66kg. Jaione Equisoain also won gold for her nation defeating Yadinys Amaris of Colombia in the category U57kg. She took over the victory of last year by Conchi Bellorin.

Uriarte’s girlfriend Laura Gomez was in the final U52kg but another experienced judoka captured gold for Russia, Natalia Kuziutina. Italian Valentina Moscatt made her comeback with a gold medal U48kg. She defeated Russian Kristina Rumyantseva in the final in Buenos Aires. Last year’s winner U48kg Paula Pareto became World Champion, to give Moscatt some hope to make it to the Olympics after all.

Cuba won two gold medals by Maricet Espinosa U63kg in a Pan American final against Ketleyn Quadros, the 2008 Bronze medallist. Marta Labazina (RUS) and French Margaux Pinot are the other strong bronze medallists. For the first time Pinot is back in the category U63kg after she fought U70kg for three years.

The second gold for Cuba was achieved by Magdiel Estrada U73kg. He overcame Alonso Wong of Peru in the final. Brazilian Marcelo Contini took bronze alongside Florent Urani of France on the podium.

Vugar Shirinli won the gold U60kg for Azerbaijan. It was his third victory this season, also he took gold in Tunis at the African Open and last week in Lima at the Panam Open; again 100 points for the 23-year old Azeri who is competing with Orkhan Safarov and Ilgar Mushkiyev who are thus far too powerful.