Peru Bolsters Medal Count at 2026 South American Youth Games with Table Tennis Silver and Judo Bronze

Team Peru continues to make its mark at the Juegos Suramericanos de la Juventud Panamá 2026, expanding its medal haul through standout performances in table tennis and judo. The Peruvian delegation has now secured six medals in the continental youth competition, signaling a period of growth for the nation’s emerging athletic talent.

The latest addition to the tally comes from the table tennis courts, where Keiji Takeda captured the silver medal. Takeda’s achievement in securing the subcampeonato provides a significant boost to the Peruvian standings as the games progress in Panama.

Yesus Perea Secures Judo Bronze

In a decisive battle on the tatami, Peruvian judoka Yesus Perea earned a bronze medal in the -66 kg category. Perea faced Chile’s Joaquín Díaz in a high-stakes match for the third-place podium spot, ultimately prevailing in a display of technical precision.

The match was characterized by Perea’s aggressive start, as he managed to score two Yukos early in the contest. The bout reached its climax at the 1-minute and 42-second mark, when Perea executed a decisive ippon to seal the victory and guarantee his place on the podium.

The final standings for the -66 kg category saw Argentina’s Thiago Carvallo take the gold, while Brazil’s Bruno Sacilotto claimed the silver. Perea shared the bronze medal with Omar Campos of Ecuador.

A Growing Momentum for Team Perú

The success of Perea and Takeda is part of a broader positive trend for the Peruvian delegation. The medal count for the nation currently stands at six, a total that includes an early breakthrough in surfing by Emilia Ezcurra, who secured the first Peruvian medal of the games.

This collective performance highlights the development of Peruvian youth sports across multiple disciplines. For many of these athletes, the South American Youth Games serve as a critical benchmark for their international progression and a testament to the preparation efforts of the national delegations.

For readers unfamiliar with judo scoring, a “Yuko” is a score awarded for a throw that does not land the opponent flat on their back, while an “Ippon” is the highest score possible, ending the match immediately—much like a knockout in boxing.

Looking Ahead: Judo Schedule

The competition is far from over for the Peruvian judo team. The discipline is scheduled to continue through April 15 and 16, with the national squad aiming to add further medals to the tally and maintain their competitiveness in the remaining weight classes.

As the games continue in Panama, the focus remains on whether Team Peru can leverage this momentum to climb further in the overall medal table.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the delegation will be the judo events taking place on April 15 and 16.

Do you think Peru can break into the top five of the overall medal table? Share your thoughts in the comments below.