PANAMA CITY, Panama – National judo teams in the cadet and absolute categories are set to launch their international competition calendars this month in Panama, with two key events scheduled to provide crucial ranking points and competitive preparation. The competitions, taking place at the Vasco Núñez Convention Center in Panama City, mark a significant step for athletes aiming for success at upcoming regional and global championships.
The Ministry of Popular Power for Sports (MPPD) announced that these events are designed to assess the physical and technical readiness of athletes, as well as to accumulate points toward the universal ranking system for the discipline. This early-season push is particularly crucial as athletes look to build momentum and secure favorable seeding for larger tournaments later in the year.
The first of these competitions, the Pan American Cup for youth competitors, will run from March 20 to March 22. This event serves as a vital preparatory stage for athletes targeting the South American Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Panama from April 12 to April 25. The Pan American Cup will allow coaches and athletes to evaluate performance and refine strategies ahead of the multi-sport event.
Following the youth competition, the absolute category judoka will compete from March 21 to March 23. This event is also serving as a key preparation point for the Pan-American championships in the category, which will be held in Panama on April 18 and 19. Points earned at the March competition will contribute to the overall standings for the Dominican multi-sport event.
Panama has turn into a frequent host for international judo events, demonstrating its growing commitment to the sport. The International Judo Federation (IJF) lists the Panama Senior Central American and Caribbean Cup 2026, scheduled for March 22, 2026, as a significant event on the calendar, attracting 17 countries and 156 judoka. This demonstrates the country’s capacity to host large-scale judo competitions and its increasing prominence within the sport’s international community.
The 2026 Senior Central American and Caribbean Cup will feature competition across multiple weight classes for both men and women. Men’s categories include -60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg and +100kg. Women’s categories are -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, -78kg, and +78kg. The IJF website provides detailed information on the event schedule and participating nations.
This year’s events in Panama build on previous successful competitions held in the country. The IJF also hosted the Panama Junior Panamerican Cup 2025 in April, featuring 20 countries and 176 competitors, and the Panama Cadet Panamerican Cup 2025, with 14 countries and 64 judoka. These events highlight Panama’s role as a key development hub for judo in the Americas.
For judo fans following the action, the local timezone in Panama City is America/Panama. As of this writing, television broadcast information for the March events has not yet been released, but the IJF website will be updated with any broadcast details as they become available. The IJF website (https://www.ijf.org/) remains the primary source for official results, schedules, and news related to these and other international judo competitions.
The competitions in Panama represent a crucial early-season test for national judo programs, providing valuable competitive experience and ranking points as athletes prepare for major championships throughout the year. The focus now shifts to Panama City, where the next generation of judo stars will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage.
The next major event for many of these athletes will be the South American Youth Games in Panama, April 12-25, followed by the Pan-American championships on April 18 and 19, also in Panama. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of these and other international judo events.
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