Tijuana judoka Kassandra Espinoza secured a bronze medal in the under-48 kilogram category at the Panamericano Open in Gainesville, Florida, strengthening her position in the national rankings as she pursues a spot on Mexico’s roster for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.
Panamericano Open Podium Finish in Gainesville
Espinoza advanced through a demanding bracket in Florida to claim the bronze medal. Along the way, she defeated Linda Dervisogiu of the United States and secured the third-place match against Canada’s Angelina McCristall. Her path to the podium also included a difficult semifinal bout against Venezuela’s Gabriela Miranda.
National Ranking Points and Selection Criteria
The result in Florida serves Espinoza’s broader objective of securing a berth on the Mexican national team for the upcoming continental multi-sport event in Peru. Under the guidelines set by the Mexican Judo Federation (Federación Mexicana de Judo), the continental open points contribute directly to the national ranking system that determines selection for the international circuit.
Recent Results and International Momentum
Espinoza’s performance in Florida builds on a busy stretch of competition across the regional circuit. Earlier in her campaign, she earned a victory over Santo Domingo 2026 silver medalist Estefania Soriano of the Dominican Republic. Two weeks prior to the Gainesville tournament, Espinoza captured the gold medal at the traditional “Daniel F. Hernández” national championship by defeating former Olympian Edna Carrillo.
Upcoming International Tournament in Montreal
Espinoza travels to Canada this week to compete in an international tournament in Montreal. The event marks the final point-scoring competition of the year on the regional circuit, giving the Baja California athlete an immediate opportunity to accumulate additional ranking units before the calendar turns.
