Judoka David García Torné secured a silver medal in the men’s -66 kg division at the world championships in Baku, finishing behind five-time world champion and double Olympic gold medalist Hifumi Abe. Reports from sports outlets detail how the Tarragona-born athlete battled through four demanding preliminary rounds before falling to the Japanese legend by ippon in the final bout.
From Escola La Canonja to the Baku World Championship Mat
Born in La Canonja, García first encountered judo as an extracurricular activity at Escola La Canonja. He also spent part of his youth playing basketball before committing fully to the martial art. Early on, he established himself as a dominant youth competitor, eventually moving to the Vital Esport club in Sant Pere i Sant Pau under coach Pablo Sáez to face stiffer competition. At age 19, he relocated to Madrid to train at Dojo Quino, establishing his path toward elite international competition.
Overcoming Six Major Surgeries After 2018
The journey to the world podium required surviving a severe physical toll. Starting with a meniscus operation in 2018, García underwent six total surgeries—three on his meniscus and three on his anterior cruciate ligament. Despite the repeated setbacks that threatened to halt his career, he returned to competition by 2023, capturing a silver medal at the European championships and earning a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he placed 17th individually and ninth in the mixed team event.
Four Victories Leading to the Final Against Hifumi Abe
In Baku, García carved a path to the championship match by defeating four distinct opponents: Narmandakh Bayanmunkh of the United Arab Emirates, Ziyang Xue of China, Baskhuu Yondonperenlei of Mongolia, and Denis Vieru of Moldova. That four-match win streak set up a showdown with Hifumi Abe. The dominant Japanese competitor ultimately claimed the gold by ippon, leaving the Spanish judoka with the silver medal and cementing one of the most significant achievements for athletics in the Tarragona province.
Frequently Asked Questions About David García Torné
What weight class does David García Torné compete in?
He competes in the men’s -66 kg division, the weight class in which he won his world championship silver medal in Baku and represented Spain at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Which club did he join when moving to Madrid?
At age 19, García moved to Madrid and enrolled in Dojo Quino, a recognized training center for national and international judo development.
How many surgeries did García undergo during his career?
He underwent six surgeries in total following his initial meniscus operation in 2018, comprising three meniscus procedures and three anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.
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