The Puerto Rican Melissa Mojica achieved her qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Saturday by finishing seventh in the +78 kilos category at the Judo World Championship. The event was held in Budapest, Hungary.
“It is the first time in my entire life that we have made a number 7 in a Judo World Cup. We are close to achieving anything in Tokyo. Tokyo is the revenge. ”, Said the 37-year-old judoka from Budapest.
“We are not focusing on the medal, but on the fights that have given us good results. Let’s make noise in Tokyo! ”He added.
Mojica along with María Pérez and Adrián Gandía are getting closer every day to their confirmation to the Japanese fair to be held from July 23 to August 8. The three wait for the official closing of the Olympic lists, on June 28, and the publication of this will be the 30 of the same month by the International Judo Federation.
Prior to the World Championship, Mojica had 2,648 points and Pérez with 3,520, which places them in the direct classification of the world rankings. While Gandía had 2,134 points to get his Olympic ticket for continental quota. The international organization is in the process of updating the list of athletes classified to Tokyo according to written communication in IJF.org – International Judo Federation .
The judoka will be back to Puerto Rico to continue with her scientific monitoring to know the behavior of her body when overcoming COVID19. These tests are part of the care that the athlete receives by the Sports Health and Exercise Sciences Center at the Albergue Olímpico in Salinas with the physiologist Anita Rivera, the doctor Rebecca Rodríguez, the doctor Enrique Amy and the nutritionist Carmen Nevárez.
“The recovery from COVID19 has been tough. I have to be aware of hydration. SADCE doctors and physiologist Anita are helping us take stock. Now I return to a break of two to four days to visit the doctors and a respite to the body. I do labs week after week. Monitoring the whole body. But… I feel very happy and content for the unconditional support of COPUR. The support has been unique ”, expressed the Olympian in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Mojica has a work team where two Olympians have put their learning of combat sport and their studies in training methodology. These are the coaches and their “judo brothers”, Jessica García (Athens 2004) and Carlos Santiago (Sydney 2000). The “perfect” complements are the judoka and training partner Víctor Colón and the therapist Marla Agosto.
With regard to Tokyo, according to Mojica, “it is important to fine-tune these things that we did well, the ones that we did wrong to change.”
Without a doubt, the nurse judoka concluded with her message of love for Puerto Rico. “Very happy, because I will go to represent Puerto Rico in my third Olympic Games. Thank you to #TeamMela and we move on ”.
Mojica’s sports resume has two Olympic participations, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016; five world championships, 2021 being the one with the highest result with seventh position; eight “Grand Slam” with a silver and a bronze medal; in continental championships he has won one silver and seven bronze medals; in “Grand Prix” he owns a silver and two bronzes; and, in “Continental Open” he has won six gold medals, seven silver and one bronze. In Central American and Caribbean Games he has eight medals (two gold, three silver and three bronze) and in the Pan American Games he has won two silver medals.
The Delegation to Tokyo would be raised to 33 athletes
If the classification of Melissa Mójica, María Pérez and Adrián Gandía is confirmed on June 30, Puerto Rico would raise the number to 33 athletes in the Tokyo 2020 Delegation: Adriana Díaz, Melanie Díaz, Brian Afanador (table tennis); Enrique Figueroa and Gretchen Ortiz (sailing), Wesley Vázquez, Andrés Arroyo, Ryan Sánchez (800 meters); Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (100 meters hurdles), Victoria Stambaugh (taekwondo), Lauren Billys (equestrian), Franklin Gómez (Olympic wrestling), Verónica Toro (rowing), Rafael “Rafa” Quintero (diving), Yankiel Rivera (boxing), National Women’s Basketball Team, Steven Piñero and Manny Santiago (Skate) and Yarimar Mercado (shooting).
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Adding Melissa Mojica as Qualified for Tokyo 2020 are joined by María Pérez by direct classification and Adrián Gandía in classification by continental quota.
We continue to Celebrate Puerto Rico!
???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/HxyI7GrlAB— PUR Olympic Committee (@ComiteOlimpico) June 12, 2021
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