The Torneo Internacional Villa de Avilés has confirmed its status as a major fixture in judo by selling out its entries for its upcoming twenty-sixth edition, drawing 1,800 competitors to the Complejo Deportivo El Quirinal in Avilés, Spain.
Unprecedented Registration Speed for the Cadete Division
Demand for the international tournament reached high levels when registration opened. According to organizers, the Cadete category exhausted all available slots in less than half an hour, highlighting the pulling power of the Asturian event. «Estamos muy satisfechos. Ha sido una inscripción salvaje», stated tournament organizer Carlos Fernández, describing the frantic pace at which competitors secured their places.
This rapid sell-out places the Villa de Avilés in a select tier within the Spanish sports calendar. Fernández noted that while only two cups in Spain close entries, other events typically take up to a month to fill quotas compared to the half-hour turnaround in Avilés. The response reaffirms the planning and execution behind the competition, which returns to the Asturian sports complex during the final weekend of October.
Global Participation and the Dutch Debut
When competition gets underway on October 24 and 25, the venue often referred to as the «Teatro de los Sueños» will host athletes representing every Spanish autonomous community alongside a growing international contingent. The tournament will feature the debut of a delegation from the Netherlands, marking a new milestone for the event’s geographical reach.
Alongside the Dutch newcomers, the tournament welcomes back international teams from the United States, England, Portugal, Scotland, and Costa Rica. Previous editions have also drawn programs from countries such as France and Ukraine, showcasing the event’s broad appeal across international judo circuits.
Focus on Competitor Experience Beyond the Tatami
With capacity reached and preparations underway, the organizing committee’s primary objective shifts to event logistics and participant satisfaction. Fernández emphasized that the goal extends far beyond athletic competition on the mats. «Queremos que salgan satisfechos y que lo hagan con una sonrisa; los que tienen medalla y los que no», said Fernández, adding that the aim is for visitors to enjoy a complete experience in Avilés from arrival to departure.
The tournament evaluates its success directly through feedback collected from the competitors. According to the organization, post-event surveys yield top marks from participating athletes, a standard the staff aims to protect as they finalize details for the late-October dates.
Worth a look
