Panama City, Panama – Sixteen-year-old Benjamin Burnside is poised to take a significant step in his burgeoning judo career as he prepares to compete in the Pan American Cadete Cup in Panama. The young athlete, hailing from Loreto, Peru, has quickly become one of the nation’s most promising international prospects, supported by the Instituto Peruano del Deporte (IPD) and its Academia IPD program.
Burnside’s journey to the Pan American stage highlights the IPD’s commitment to fostering athletic talent across Peru, particularly as the nation looks ahead to hosting the Pan American Games in Lima in 2027. Sergio Ludeña, the current president of the IPD, has emphasized the organization’s support for Peruvian athletes competing internationally to build experience and strengthen their path toward future major competitions.
“I am grateful to the Academia IPD for the support they provided,” Burnside said. “There was a deadline of up to two days to manage my passport for travel to Panama, but I didn’t know how to do it. They helped me with the procedures and were always with me.”
Burnside is scheduled to travel to Panama on Thursday, March 19th, and will begin competing in the -55 kg division of the Pan American Cadete Cup two days later. He is currently training daily at the Videna sports complex in Lima, focused on achieving his primary goal: securing a gold medal.
“Receiving the news of being called up for the Pan American Cup and knowing that I will represent the country made me very happy,” Burnside stated. “It was a quick change to move from training in Loreto to the Videna as part of high-performance training, but it’s great. That’s why I’m working hard to bring home the gold medal.”
Recent Success Fuels Confidence
Burnside enters the Panama tournament with a strong foundation of confidence, recently earning a gold medal at the Campeonato Nacional Sénior y Cadete Lima 2026, organized by the Federación Deportiva Peruana de Judo with the support of the IPD in February at the Videna. This victory underscores his potential and preparation for the international competition.
The young judoka’s passion for the sport began at a young age. “I have four brothers, and at the initiative of my parents, I joined the Academia IPD when I was 7 years old. At first, I thought I wouldn’t stay for long, but I got into it and now I’m about to participate in a tournament abroad,” he recalled.
Burnside’s early career coincided with that of his close friend, Valentino Flores, who as well trained at the Academia IPD in Loreto. “We’ve known each other since childhood. We trained together in Loreto until he came to Lima to continue his career. Now that we’re both at the Videna, we remember so many anecdotes and dream of going to the Olympic Games together,” Burnside shared.
IPD Extends Support to Boxing Talent
The IPD’s commitment to developing young athletes extends beyond judo. The organization recently celebrated the achievements of its boxing students who won championships and runner-up titles at the Campeonato Internacional del Pacífico ABA de Boxeo in Moquegua. Maycol Guevara Tello (15 years old) won the South American championship in the 69 kg category, whereas Héctor Salazar Vásquez (11 years old) claimed the children’s championship in the 44 kg category. Camilo Vásquez Valera (16 years old) secured a runner-up finish in the 72 kg category, and Jhontan Rodrigues finished as runner-up in the 52 kg category. All four boxers are from the Cajamarca region.
Leydi Quispe (11 years old), representing the Academia IPD Moquegua, took first place in the 52 kg category, further demonstrating the growth of developmental boxing in southern Peru.
These successes in judo and boxing align with the IPD’s strategic focus on strengthening grassroots sports nationwide, identifying and developing athletic talent in regional areas.
Federico Tong Hurtado, President of the IPD, recently congratulated Burnside and Flores on their participation in the Copa Panamericana de Cadetes, emphasizing the IPD’s ongoing support for their athletic journeys. Tong expressed confidence that both athletes would continue to progress and potentially represent Peru at future senior-level competitions.
Burnside’s upcoming competition in Panama represents a crucial opportunity for the young judoka to showcase his skills on an international stage and further his development as a potential future star for Peruvian judo. The Pan American Cadete Cup will provide valuable experience and exposure as he continues to pursue his dreams of representing his country at the highest levels of the sport.
What’s Next?
Benjamin Burnside will travel to Panama on March 19th, with competition in the -55kg division beginning on March 21st. Fans can follow updates on the IPD’s official social media channels for results and news from the Pan American Cadete Cup.
Archysport will continue to follow Burnside’s progress and provide updates on his journey.
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