The South Americans won the competition with seven gold, three silver and six bronze medals, closely followed by the Antilleans (six gold and one bronze).
Canada finished very distantly with a subtitle, two silver medals and the same amount of bronze, and Venezuela (a golden metal and a third place).
For the champions, Michel Natan Felix, in the 60 kilograms, Gabriel Falcao (73) and Guilherme Schimidt (81), and in the women’s event, Alexia Vitoria Vilhalba Souza (48), Larissa Cincinato (52), Rafaela Silva (57) and Samanta Soares (78).
Cuba, historical leader of the discipline in continental competitions, finished second in the medal table with six gold and one bronze.
For the Antillean nation, Iván Silva (90 kilos) and Andy Granda (more than 100) won the scepter among the men, and Maylín del Toro (63), Idelannis Gómez (70) and Idalys Ortiz (more than 78) did so in the women’s competition.
In a special way, the Cuban squad performed a true feat by winning the mixed team event with one less judoka and winning 4-1 against Mexico in the quarterfinals, 4-2 against the Dominican Republic in the semifinals and 4-3 against Brazil in the end.
The remaining judo crowns in Santiago 2023 belonged to the Canadian Shady El Nahas, in less than 100 kilograms, and the Venezuelan Willis Alberto García (66).
Four years ago, at the Pan American Games in Lima, the largest of the Antilles won this combat discipline with five gold medals, two silver and five bronze, followed by Brazil (4-1-4), Dominican Republic (3- 1-1), Venezuela (1-2-1) and Chile (1-0-1).
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