Fourteen-year-old Gran Canaria judoka Valeria Lajo Coalla has captured the Spanish infantil championship twice while remaining undefeated in competition over the last two years, establishing herself as a firm prospect in national and international judo. A report detailed by infonortedigital.com outlines her dominance across both judo and the traditional Canary Islands wrestling discipline known as lucha canaria.
Undefeated Run and National Rankings
Lajo holds the number-one spot in the national cadet ranking and competes at the junior level, backed by a flawless match record spanning the past two years. Competing for Club Deportivo Lila under coach Alfonso Cabral, the 14-year-old athlete secured three cup titles this current season after claiming five cup victories the previous year. Her medal tally includes two Spanish infantil championships across the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 seasons, alongside multiple podium finishes.
Balancing Judo with Lucha Canaria
Alongside her commitments on the tatami, Lajo is a decorated practitioner of lucha canaria, the indigenous wrestling style of the Canary Islands. She holds championship titles across the infantil, cadete, junior, and senior categories at both the selection and club levels. Recognized as an elite national athlete by the Government of the Canary Islands, her weekly schedule splits between academic classes at her secondary school and rigorous physical training.
Lajo dedicates approximately 18 hours per week to judo, complementing those workouts with three additional days of lucha canaria practice and home mobility exercises focused on ankle strength. She began practicing judo at age four, following her father and brother to local training sessions.
Training at Club Deportivo Lila and Future Goals
Reflecting on her development, Lajo credits her move to Club Deportivo Lila and her work with coach Alfonso Cabral for shaping her discipline and technique. Her intermediate and long-term objectives include competing in a Grand Slam, participating in World Championships, and securing podium finishes at European Championships.
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1422169).jpg "Manuel cabral y aguado bejarano the recapture of cadiz in by alfonso the wise (oil on canvas) (meisterdrucke")
The young competitor has also received a proposal from the High-Performance Center (CAR) in Madrid to relocate for her studies and train at an elite level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does she balance her athletic training with her education?
As a third-year ESO student, Lajo attends classes in the mornings, performs ankle mobility exercises at home, and dedicates her afternoons to judo sessions and lucha canaria training.
What is her next step in elite sport development?
Lajo has received a proposal to study and train at the High-Performance Center (CAR) in Madrid to further develop her international judo career.
