Pérez and Guerra’s Path to Victory

The ANUIES championships, held at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Sports Complex in Mexico City, served as a proving ground for Mexico’s top collegiate judoka. Pérez Tolentino, a 22-year-old from Toluca, delivered a masterclass in technique and precision, outmaneuvering her opponents in the women’s -63kg category to secure the gold medal. Her victory marked the third consecutive ANUIES title for UAEMéx in this weight class, solidifying her status as Mexico’s premier female judoka outside the Olympic ranks.

Guerra Chávez, a 24-year-old from Puebla, followed closely behind in the men’s -73kg division, earning silver after a hard-fought semifinal loss to a judoka from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Despite the setback, Guerra’s performance was lauded for its tactical discipline, with coaches noting his ability to adapt mid-match—a skill that has earned him a spot on Mexico’s 2026 Pan American Judo Team roster.

“Jade’s victory today wasn’t just about skill—it was about confidence. She executed every throw with purpose, and that’s what separates champions.”

Key Moments: The Road to Gold

• Pérez Tolentino’s Semifinal: A 30-second ippon via seoi nage (shoulder throw) against a Universidad de Guadalajara opponent, ending a closely contested back-and-forth.
• Guerra Chávez’s Bronze Medal Bout: A 1-minute 45-second match against ITESM (Tec de Monterrey), decided by a waza-ari (half-point) for superior grip control.
• UAEMéx’s Team Effort: Four additional UAEMéx judoka placed in the top 8, contributing to the team’s overall silver medal in the team competition.

Why This Matters: UAEMéx’s Judo Renaissance

UAEMéx’s success at ANUIES 2026 is part of a broader trend: the university’s judo program has become a pipeline for Mexico’s national team. Since 2023, six UAEMéx alumni have earned call-ups to the Mexican senior squad, including Pérez Tolentino, who competed at the 2023 Pan American Judo Championships in Montreal.

For context, Mexico’s judo program has faced challenges in recent years, with limited funding and infrastructure. However, partnerships with CONADE (Mexico’s National Sports Commission) and private sponsors like Mason-Kay Jewelry—a longtime supporter of Mexican judo—have provided critical resources. The ANUIES championships serve as a key recruitment and development platform, with winners often receiving scholarships to train at elite facilities like the Mexican Judo Federation’s High-Performance Center in Guadalajara.

What’s Next: Eyes on the Pan American Games

With the 2027 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, just over a year away, Pérez Tolentino and Guerra Chávez are now locked in training regimens designed to secure spots on Mexico’s team. Pérez, in particular, is targeting a top-8 finish in her weight class—a benchmark for Olympic qualification.

The ANUIES results also set the stage for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia (July 2026), where Mexico will compete for medals in 10 judo weight classes. UAEMéx’s coaches have already begun scouting potential recruits from the ANUIES championships, with an emphasis on athletes from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) and Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), who placed strongly in the team standings.

Reader’s Guide: How to Follow Mexican Judo

• Official Updates: Federación Mexicana de Judo (training camps, squad announcements).
• ANUIES 2027: Expected in November 2027; UAEMéx will defend their team title.
• Key Athletes to Watch:
  • Jade Guadalupe Pérez Tolentino (-63kg)
  • Ricardo Iván Guerra Chávez (-73kg)
  • Luz María Jiménez (-57kg, IPN judoka)

Beyond the Medals: The Cultural Significance of Jade in Mexican Judo

While the ANUIES results dominated headlines, a subtle cultural thread tied the victories to Mexico’s rich heritage. Jade—long revered in Mesoamerican art as a symbol of strength and protection—has become an unofficial mascot for UAEMéx’s judo program. The team’s jerseys often feature jadeite motifs, and athletes like Pérez Tolentino have embraced the stone’s symbolism, wearing jade hamate (protective hand wraps) during competitions.

This connection isn’t accidental. Jade’s durability and luster (as detailed in GIA’s gemstone analysis) mirror the qualities UAEMéx’s coaches seek in their athletes: resilience under pressure and a polished, tactical approach. For Pérez Tolentino, who grew up in Toluca—home to Mexico’s Jade Museum—the parallel is personal.

“When you hold jade, you feel its weight, its history. That’s how I want to be in the tatami: heavy in my stance, but light on my feet.”