Concepción del Uruguay hosted the opening leg of the 2026 Provincial Judo League, drawing more than 50 competitors from Argentina and neighboring Uruguay, according to regional reports. Organized by the Unión Judo Entre Ríos, the tournament featured international delegations from Salto and Mercedes alongside domestic clubs from Colón and the host city, showcasing regional growth and competitive depth.
Escuelita Division Launches Morning Bouts
The competition kicked off in the morning hours with the Escuelita category. Coordinated by instructor Joaquín Vila, the division provided a structured, recreational environment designed to introduce younger children to the fundamentals of the sport. Following the introductory session, developmental and formative categories took to the mats, displaying sound technical execution and sportsmanship.
Judown Presentation Draws Warm Recognition
One of the most notable segments of the day featured the Judown category. Bautista Berguñán and Cynthia Fernández, representing the Club La Armonía de Colón, delivered a presentation that drew warm recognition from the attending crowd. Both athletes are currently training for the upcoming World Judo Championship for individuals with Down syndrome, scheduled to take place in August in Sweden.
Veteran Standouts Return to the Mat
The veteran division closed out the individual competition schedule. Instructor Joaquín Vila returned to the mat as a competitor, earning an ovation from the audience following his recent gold medal performance at the National Championship held in Río Cuarto, Córdoba.
CEF N°3 Dominates Team Standings
In the team standings, Centro de Educación Física N°3 (CEF N°3) of Concepción del Uruguay claimed first place with 112 points. Club La Armonía of Colón finished second with 84 points, while Judo Fortalecer, also based in Concepción del Uruguay, took third with 47 units.
Additional team standings included Salto with 38 points, Escuela Municipal Sede Libertad of Colón with 20, Mercedes with 19, Judo San José with 10, and Escuela Municipal Sede CIC Ombú with 2. Organizers noted the ongoing expansion of the sport across the region, citing institutional commitment and audience support as vital pillars for the league’s development.
Circuit Shifts Focus to Colón
The provincial circuit continues on Saturday, May 9, in Colón. Competitors will gather for the 27th edition of the traditional “Río Uruguay” tournament to accumulate points toward the annual ranking.
