Four young athletes from Chaco will represent Argentina at the upcoming Pan-American Judo Championships in Cancún, Mexico, following standout performances at the national evaluation camp. The competition will run on November 28 and 29.
Path to the Pan-American Team
Luciana García, Lara Romero, Nicolás Vargas, and Daniel García earned their spots on the national squad after impressing the coaching staff at the recent National Evaluative Campus. All four competitors train out of Dojo Okasan, an institution that currently holds the second position in the national club rankings.
The selection process brought together elite youth judoka from across the country to form the official delegation for the Pan-American Judo Confederation tournament. For the athletes, the opportunity translates months of domestic success onto the international tatami.
Chaco’s Competitors and Divisions
In the Sub-13 division, Luciana García will compete in the under-36 kilogram weight class. She enters the international event holding five consecutive national titles and a South American championship, alongside a fifth-place finish at the previous Pan-American tournament in Lima.
Lara Romero enters the Sub-15 under-52 kilogram category as a three-time consecutive national champion. Her recent credentials include a bronze medal at the South American School Games in Asunción, complemented by gold medals at the Apertura National and Central Republic tournaments.
In the Sub-13 under-73 kilogram bracket, Nicolás Vargas secured his selection after an undefeated run domestically, taking gold at the Apertura National in San Juan and the Central Republic tournament in Villa Carlos Paz.
Rounding out the quartet, Daniel García will contest the Sub-15 under-45 kilogram division. His qualification follows gold medal performances at the 2025 Clausura National and the 2026 Central Republic competition.
Institutional Roots at Dojo Okasan
The success of the Chaco delegation highlights the developmental work carried out at Dojo Okasan. Founded by sensei Gustavo García—whose children Luciana and Daniel are part of the traveling team—the school operates on traditional instructional principles.
The dojo name translates to mother in Japanese, chosen by its founder to emphasize a supportive community atmosphere. Beyond winning medals, the training environment focuses on the holistic development of children, adolescents, and adults in line with standard martial arts educational frameworks.
Next Steps for the Delegation
The four judoka will finalize their preparation ahead of the official weigh-ins and competition dates scheduled for November 28 and 29 in Cancún.
