Colombian Youth Judo Shines with Six-Medal Haul at Panama Cadet Panamerican Cup 2026

The Colombian national judo delegation delivered a commanding performance at the Panama Cadet Panamerican Cup 2026, cementing the country’s growing influence in youth judo. Finishing the tournament with a total of six medals—two gold, two silver, and two bronze—the team demonstrated a high level of technical proficiency and resilience across multiple weight divisions.

The event, held in Panama City, served as a critical benchmark for the region’s emerging talent. For Colombia, the result is more than just a tally of medals; it is a validation of the developmental pipeline for the nation’s young athletes as they transition toward senior international competition.

Gold Standard: Angulo Sandoval and Suaza Lead the Way

The highlight of the tournament for Colombia was the gold-medal success of Sharol Angulo Sandoval and Javier Suaza. Angulo Sandoval dominated the women’s -70 kg category, securing the top spot on the podium and ratifying her position as a premier youth talent in the Americas.

In the men’s division, reports from Colombian sports outlets credit Javier Suaza with a gold medal in the -90 kg category. However, a review of the International Judo Federation (IJF) official results for the event shows “No results were found” for the Men -90 kg division. Despite this discrepancy in the official record, national reports maintain that Suaza’s victory was a key component of Colombia’s overall success in Panama.

Silver Finishes in High-Intensity Finals

Colombia similarly secured two silver medals following closely contested finals in the women’s lightweight divisions. Stephany Aldana reached the final of the -44 kg category, where she ultimately took the second spot after a challenging bout against Venezuela’s Rosalvick Aguilar.

Similarly, Danna Cantoni Cortés earned silver in the -63 kg division. Cantoni Cortés pushed through the brackets to reach the final, where she faced Yatnelis Rodríguez of Venezuela, who claimed the gold. Both athletes demonstrated significant resilience, contributing to a strong showing for the Colombian women’s team.

Completing the Podiums: Bronze Medal Success

The Colombian medal count was rounded out by two bronze performances that highlighted the depth of the squad. In the women’s -52 kg division, Alixon Valero Acosta secured third place. She shared the podium with Panama’s Julieta Escobar, while the gold medal in that category went to Ahniia Grebennikova of Canada.

On the men’s side, Daniel Palomino earned a bronze medal in the -81 kg division. Palomino’s third-place finish came in a category won by Lucas Gabriele of Canada. His performance ensured that the Colombian delegation remained competitive across both gender categories.

Analysis: The Regional Power Shift

The Panama Cadet Panamerican Cup 2026 results underscore a recurring theme in regional judo: the intense rivalry between Colombia, Venezuela, and Canada. The fact that Colombian athletes reached four different finals across various weight classes suggests a balanced training program that is not reliant on a single standout star but is producing quality athletes across the board.

For global readers, the “Cadet” designation refers to the youth level of competition, which is essential for world ranking points and qualification for subsequent international championships. Success at this level is often a leading indicator of future Olympic potential.

The Colombian delegation’s ability to secure medals in both the lightest (-44 kg) and heavier (-90 kg) divisions speaks to the versatility of their current coaching strategies. The focus on technical precision and physical conditioning in Panama has set a high bar for the athletes as they look toward the remainder of the 2026 competition calendar.

The next confirmed checkpoint for these athletes will be the upcoming regional qualifiers and the next scheduled IJF-sanctioned cadet event. Updates on athlete rankings and future tournament entries can be followed via the official International Judo Federation portal.

Do you think the Colombian youth program is on track to dominate the next Olympic cycle? Share your thoughts in the comments below.