Palencia Hosts 500 Young Athletes for XV Torneo de Judo Ciudad de Palencia

The Pabellón Municipal de Deportes in Palencia transformed into a hub of intensity and discipline this past Saturday, April 11, as the city hosted the XV Torneo Nacional de Judo. The event, known as the Torneo de Judo Ciudad de Palencia, drew nearly 500 judokas from across Spain, ranging from the pre-benjamín to infantil categories.

From the first whistle at 10:00 AM, the venue buzzed with energy. Eight tatamis were laid out to accommodate a continuous schedule of bouts, creating a fast-paced environment for athletes aged 3 to 13. The tournament, managed by the Judo Club Palencia with support from the Patronato Municipal de Deportes and the Federation of Castilla y León, served as both a competitive arena and an educational experience.

A National Gathering of Youth Talent

The scale of the tournament highlighted Palencia’s growing reputation as a center for youth judo. Athletes traveled from a wide array of Spanish regions, including the Basque Country, Cantabria, Navarra, Galicia, Asturias, Castilla y León, La Rioja, Madrid, and the Canary Islands. For many of these young competitors, the event was less about the hardware and more about the values of the sport.

Orlando Castro, the councilor for Physical-Sports Activity and Health, emphasized that the objective of the gathering was to foster companionship, personal growth, and a passion for the discipline among the youngest practitioners. This sentiment was echoed by club technician Cristian Barcenilla, who highlighted the spirit of camaraderie that defines the sport.

Beyond the mats, the influx of athletes and their families provided a tangible boost to the local economy, increasing activity for hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses throughout the weekend.

Medal Breakdown: Gandmontagne Dominates

While the event emphasized formation and friendship, the competitive results showed a clear hierarchy among the participating clubs. Gandmontagne emerged as the dominant force of the tournament, securing the top spot in the club standings with a total of 34 medals.

The club’s haul included 7 gold, 5 silver, and 22 bronze medals. Suzaku followed closely in second place with 32 medals, while Samurai rounded out the top three with 24.

Host Club Performance

The Judo Club Palencia delivered a strong showing on their home turf, proving they remain among the most competitive entities in the national circuit. The host club secured 17 medals in total: 3 gold, 5 silver, and 9 bronze.

The local gold medalists who reached the top of the podium included:

• Raquel Gil
• Saúl Castrillejo (benjamín)
• Sara Castrillejo (benjamín)

The silver medals were claimed by Tomás Puebla, Rubén Aguado, Noél López, Óscar Calvo, and Mateo Inés. A deep bench of talent also secured bronze for the club, with medals going to Gedeón Arias, Jairo Muñoz, Keila Salvador, Leo Abello, Yara Giraldo, Daniel Rivas, Hugo Saludes, Pablo Cubero, and Sara Castrillejo (alevín).

Building a Legacy in Palencia

The success of the XV Torneo Nacional de Judo is not an accident but the result of a long-term commitment to the sport in the region. Despite its modest size, the Judo Club Palencia has established itself as a national reference, having produced 14 Spanish champions over the years.

However, the club faces the modern challenge of athlete recruitment. Club officials noted that attracting new practitioners can be difficult, as the sport is often introduced to children through family environments rather than organic discovery. Currently, the club’s school consists of approximately 40 young athletes.

To combat this and ensure the sport’s growth, the club has opened its doors to anyone interested in trying the discipline. Training is available year-round at their facilities located at the frontón de la Ensenada.

Tournament Logistics and Format

Organizers implemented a progressive award system this year to improve the experience for visiting families. Rather than holding a single massive ceremony at the end of the day, prizes were distributed as each category finished its participation. This allowed families to explore the city of Palencia without enduring long wait times at the pavilion.

The event remained accessible to the general public with free admission, encouraging local residents to witness the “base sport” development within their own community.

With the conclusion of the 15th edition, the Judo Club Palencia continues its mission to integrate athletic excellence with educational values. For those looking to join the ranks of the next generation of champions, the club continues to welcome new students at the frontón de la Ensenada.

Do you think youth sports tournaments like these are the best way to foster lifelong athletic habits? Let us understand in the comments.