Lourdes Gatti Makes History: Argentine Judoka Wins World Championship for Athletes with Down Syndrome

Lourdes Gatti, an 18-year-old judoka from Rosario, Argentina, made international sports history by capturing the world title at the World Judo Championship for athletes with Down syndrome in Lindesberg, Sweden. Competing in her category, Gatti delivered a flawless performance to bring the Argentine flag to the top of the podium, finishing the tournament undefeated after securing three consecutive victories against representatives from Poland, Switzerland, and Georgia.

A Perfect Run in Lindesberg

According to reports from regional sports coverage, the young Argentine athlete swept her division by overcoming opponents from Poland, Switzerland, and Georgia in succession. That clean sweep of victories earned her the gold medal and sealed an undefeated run on the international stage.

“La joven tuvo una actuación perfecta y llevó la bandera argentina a lo más alto del podio,” noted local coverage detailing her dominant tournament sweep.

Years of Training in Rosario

Gatti’s success in Europe did not happen overnight; it was built on nearly a decade of dedicated training in her home city of Rosario. Having practiced judo since she was nine years old, Gatti developed her foundational skills at the Dojo Escuela de Judo Rubén Basualdo – Gabriela Valenti. Today, she represents the Club Banco Nación.

Her path to the world championship required rigorous preparation alongside her family and coaching staff. Months prior to the tournament in Sweden, Gatti received a formal call-up to the Argentine National Selection, initiating a specialized training regime designed to ready her for high-level international competition. That structured buildup proved decisive as she stepped onto the mats in Lindesberg.

A Milestone for Argentine Adapted Sports

The gold medal won by Gatti stands as a significant benchmark for adapted sports across Argentina.