This second edition of the Panamerican Junior Games, known locally as ASU25, is already a huge success with greater numbers than four years ago in Cali, with more wide-reaching publicity, and that extends to the judoka competition. Numbers have doubled on the tatami since Colombia and the level is getting higher.
So far in Asuncion, the stand-out performances have been from the Brazilian team who peppered the entry with their elite judoka, including Bianca Reis.
Reis won the -57 kg title on day one; unsurprising as she arrived with a world ranking of 2, 2 previous world medals and the 2025 Pan-American Championship title.
It’s not all about the medals though. Argentina’s judo heroine Paula Pareto is in Asuncion with the Argentinian judo team and she is convinced of the importance of the event, “It is important to support athletes in this event because it is at the grassroots level, an entry level where they can develop towards the athlete they will become in the future.”
Athletic development is particularly well supported in judo, with the sport’s core values underpinning all activity. Pareto goes on to say, “The sports world, judo comes with good values for their lives in general, not just for now on the tatami.”
Day two is already well under way, providing a new group of judoka with a tremendous experience, one they will remember for the rest of their lives.