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Last Updated: May 1, 2019 - 10:53:04 AM |
 Lima, Peru - Lima 2019 successfully staged its first official Pan American Games test event this weekend, with the 2019 Panamerican Judo Championships a prime opportunity for organizers to fine-tune preparations and for fans to experience elite competition at the newly refurbished Videna Sports Center 1 for the first time. Additional test events for weightlifting, volleyball, athletics and more will take place in the coming weeks as excitement continues to build for the Games.
The 2019 Panamerican Judo Championships took place from April 24 – 28 and featured judokas from 29 countries across the Americas. With the tournament offering qualification for Lima 2019 and Tokyo 2020, many of the continent’s top athletes were competing, including Olympic Champions Paula Pareto from Argentina and Rafaela Silva from Brazil, as well as Brazil’s World Champion Mayra Aguiar. As hosts, Lima 2019 offered free admission to fans for the duration of the event, attracting thousands of spectators over the four days.
Lima 2019 President Carlos Neuhaus said: “Lima 2019’s first test event is an opportunity for fans, volunteers and athletes to get a preview of what Lima 2019 has in store for them. Now these judokas can imagine themselves competing for that Pan American Games gold right here in a few months’ time.”
“We can sense the excitement growing across Peru for the high level of sports competition that is now close at hand. The test events are very important for the Lima 2019 organizing committee because they will help us enhance our operational readiness and ensure our Games showcases the very best of Peru and the Americas.”
Juan Miguel Postigos, Yuta Galarreta, Alonso Wong, Daryl Yamamoto, Kiara Arango, Xsara Morales and Brillith Gamarra represented Peru in the 2019 Panamerican Judo Championships. Peru finished in a record third place in the team competition, earning a place on the podium alongside judo powerhouses Brazil and Cuba. Postigos and Gamarra also won silver in the 66kg and bronze in the 52kg categories respectively. Brazil topped the medal count with 16 medals over the four days of competition, including five gold medals.
Speaking after becoming one of the first athletes to compete in the newly upgraded Videna Sports Complex, Rio 2016 Olympic champion Paula Pareto of Argentina said: "We always feel good in Peru, but we feel better this time because they worked hard to give us great conditions to compete in the best way. Lima has succeeded in this test event."
2019 Panamerican Judo Championships gold medalists Daniel Cargnin and Larissa Pimenta of Brazil expressed their belief that Lima is ready for the Games. "We loved the attention, from the food to the services before fighting on the tatami. Everything looks so colorful, ready to welcome the athletes back for the Games," they said.
The Videna Sports Complex will host a variety of indoor and outdoor sports during the Lima 2019 Games. The facility includes a velodrome, a warm-up track, and an athletics stadium with an IAAF-approved competition track that has been expanded to accommodate 10,000 spectators. Videna also features a new aquatics center with three pools that can seat 4,300, a new 24-lane bowling alley and three indoor sports arenas. Videna will host competitions for athletics, track cycling, badminton, table tennis, handball, judo, roller skating, squash, swimming and bowling during the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.
© Copyright 2019 by thebahamasweekly.com
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