WRITING
VARADERO.- Thaily Sofía Molina, originally from Tulum, Quintana Roo, made history by becoming the first judoka in the state to win a gold medal at the 2024 Pan American Under-13 and Under-15 Judo Championships. Competing in the Under category -13 under 47 kilos, Molina was proclaimed champion after beating the Ecuadorian Laila Paredes in the final.
The young athlete’s outstanding performance included previous victories over Arislemi Molina (Cuba), Hevellen Silva (Brazil) and Aitana Molina (Cuba), consolidating her position as number one in her division in the national ranking. This achievement reinforces the commitment of the State Government, headed by Mara Lezama Espinosa, to promote the sports development of Quintana Roo athletes.
During the final, Thaily Sofía demonstrated her technique and preparation, the result of work under the direction of teacher Marta Domínguez Ramos in Tulum, and in coordination with the technical director of judo in Quintana Roo, Dayma Beltrán.
The trip to the contest, held in Varadero, was possible thanks to the collaboration between the Quintana Roo Sports Commission (CODEQ), led by Jacobo Arzate Hop, the families of the athletes and municipal authorities. In addition to Thaily Sofía, three other judokas from Quintana Roo participated in the event: Maximiliano Vázquez, who finished in fifth place; Dylan Itza, who reached the repechage phase; and César Santamaría, who acquired valuable international experience.
Governor Mara Lezama expressed her pride in Thaily Sofía’s achievement and reiterated her administration’s commitment to the sport. “We will continue working 24/7 to support our athletes. This humanist government with a feminist heart believes in sport as a tool for well-being and development,” he stated.
Thaily Sofía Molina’s historic triumph marks a milestone for sport in Quintana Roo, inspiring new generations of athletes to achieve their goals on international stages.
