Cuba and Brazil emerged as standout performers in the mixed team judo competition at the 2026 Pan American Senior Championship held in Panama City. The event, which took place over two days in mid-April, saw both nations secure podium finishes in the team competition, with Brazil claiming the gold medal and Cuba earning silver after a hard-fought final.
The mixed team tournament featured ten participating nations divided into two pools. Brazil led its preliminary group, which included Venezuela, the United States, Chile, and Peru, advancing without difficulties to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Cuba navigated its bracket with victories over Colombia in the quarterfinals and the Dominican Republic in the semifinals, setting up a final showdown with Brazil.
In the championship match, Brazil defeated Cuba by a score of 4-1 to capture the gold medal. The victory came after Brazil had already demonstrated strength in the individual events earlier in the weekend, where they topped the overall medal count with six gold medals, two silver, and six bronze for a total of 14 medals across all judo disciplines.
Cuba, despite falling short in the final, still delivered a strong performance throughout the competition. The Caribbean nation finished second in the overall medal standings with five medals: two gold, one silver, and two bronze. Their success was highlighted by individual victories from Jonathan Charon and Orlando Polanco, who each won gold in their respective weight classes, along with a silver medal earned by Iván Silva in the men’s 100 kg division.
The bronze medals in the mixed team event were awarded to the Dominican Republic and Peru, who both demonstrated competitive performances throughout the tournament. The Pan American Judo Confederation confirmed that the mixed team competition included specific weight categories: men’s divisions at 73 kg, 90 kg, and +90 kg, and women’s divisions at 57 kg, 70 kg, and +70 kg.
Brazil’s success in Panama continued a trend of strong performances by the South American powerhouse in regional judo competitions. Their victory in the mixed team event added to their individual medal haul from the weekend, reinforcing their position as the leading judo nation in the Americas heading toward future continental and global events.
For Cuba, the silver medal in the mixed team competition complemented their individual achievements and contributed to their second-place finish in the overall medal table. The results underscored the depth of talent on both teams and highlighted the continued competitiveness of judo throughout the Pan American region.
The championship served as an important benchmark for athletes preparing for upcoming international competitions, including the Pan American Games. Both Brazil and Cuba will look to build on their performances in Panama as they continue their training cycles toward future qualifiers and championship events.
As the judo community turns its attention to the next series of tournaments, the outcomes from the 2026 Pan American Senior Championship will factor into national rankings and seeding considerations for future events. Fans and analysts alike will monitor how both Brazil and Cuba adjust their preparations in the months ahead.
For continued coverage of international judo competitions and athlete developments, readers are encouraged to follow official updates from the Pan American Judo Confederation and national federation announcements.
