Club de Judo Sant Jordi Battles at Supercopa de España in Tomelloso
The Club de Judo Sant Jordi recently tested its mettle on the national stage, sending a dedicated delegation to Tomelloso for the first national competition of the Copas de España junior circuit. The event, known as the Supercopa de España de Tomelloso ‘Memorial Eugenio Benito,’ served as a high-stakes gathering of talent at the Pabellón Ciudad Deportiva Tomelloso, drawing nearly 300 junior athletes from every autonomous community in Spain and international competitors from Portugal.
Led by two technicians and five athletes, the club’s outing was defined by gritty performances and a willingness to push through challenging brackets. For a club that has been teaching the art of judo and self-defense since 1987, these competitions are as much about the developmental journey as they are about the podium.
Junior Category: Grit in the -73 kg and -66 kg Divisions
The junior campaign saw significant action in the -73 kg and -66 kg weight classes, where the athletes faced some of the top-ranked competitors in the country.
In the -73 kg division, Aarón Planells delivered a highly competitive performance. Planells opened his tournament with a decisive victory in the first round against Mario Vilarmau of Aragon. His momentum hit a wall in the second round, where he fell to Madrid’s David Sánchez—a fighter who would eventually head on to claim the category championship.
Planells, however, fought his way back into the mix via the repêchage—a second-chance bracket common in judo that allows athletes who lost to the eventual finalists to compete for a bronze medal. He secured a win against Alejandro Aguilera from Andalusia before his run finally ended in a loss to Dorian Campos of Murcia.
The -66 kg division featured a duo from Club de Judo Sant Jordi: Álvaro Menéndez and Alessandro Angelone. Menéndez started strong with a first-round victory over Álex Pérez of Castile-La Mancha, though he later succumbed to Javier Pacheco from Extremadura. Angelone faced a tougher start, exiting the tournament after a first-round defeat to Rodrigo Prieto of Madrid.
Note for readers: In judo, the repêchage system is designed to ensure that a strong athlete who happens to draw the tournament favorite in an early round still has a mathematical path to a medal.
Veteran Presence on the National Stage
The action in Tomelloso extended into the afternoon with the Supercopa de España de Veteranos. This event marked the third stop on the national calendar for the veteran category, attracting over 120 judokas from across Spain and visiting athletes from France.
Representing the club in the M5 -81 kg category, Antonio Juan Ribas stepped onto the tatami to face the high level of competition the national circuit provides. Ribas was unable to advance past the first round, falling to Madrid’s Jesús Martín.
A Legacy of Discipline and Development
While the results in Tomelloso were a mix of wins and losses, they reflect the broader mission of the Club Judo Sant Jordi. The club operates under a philosophy that views judo as a tool for integral personal development, emphasizing respect and perseverance.
The technical leadership is spearheaded by Maestro Juan Francisco Blázquez Mayans, who coordinates both sports and administrative activities to ensure a cohesive teaching method. He is supported by Maestro Antonio Ferruz, who specifically manages the preparation and direction of athletes in regional and national competitions.
The club’s infrastructure is designed to support athletes at every stage of their journey, from the “Iniciación” groups for children aged 4 to 6, up to senior and veteran competitors. This pipeline is further strengthened by the inclusion of psychological support, with a club-trained psychologist focusing on emotional management, confidence, and motivation for athletes moving toward competition stages.
Tournament Summary at a Glance
| Athlete | Category | Key Result | Opponent/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aarón Planells | Junior -73 kg | Repêchage Participant | Win vs. Vilarmau; Loss vs. Sánchez |
| Álvaro Menéndez | Junior -66 kg | First Round Win | Win vs. Pérez; Loss vs. Pacheco |
| Alessandro Angelone | Junior -66 kg | First Round Exit | Loss vs. Prieto |
| Antonio Juan Ribas | Veteran M5 -81 kg | First Round Exit | Loss vs. Martín |
The experience gained in Tomelloso provides critical data for the technical team as they refine strategies for the remainder of the national circuit. For the junior athletes, facing the eventual champion in the -73 kg bracket offers a benchmark for the level of technical execution required to reach the top of the podium.
For more detailed updates on the club’s activities and training schedules, visit the official competition reports.
The Club de Judo Sant Jordi continues to prepare its athletes for the next checkpoints in the Spanish national judo calendar. Stay tuned for updates on their upcoming regional and national appearances.
Do you follow the Spanish national judo circuit? Share your thoughts on the junior performances in the comments below.
