Comodoro Judokas Claim Gold and Silver at Open de la Confluencia
Smart captured a gold medal in the women’s division, while Fresco earned a silver medal in the men’s competition. Both athletes represent the Escuela Municipal Marcos Garnica, which operates out of Gimnasio Nº1.
Category Breakdowns and Notable Finishes
Competitors from Comodoro Rivadavia delivered strong performances across multiple weight classes in Neuquén. According to tournament coverage, Aldana Smart claimed the gold medal in the F2 category for under 63 kilograms. Cristian Fresco secured the silver medal in the M2 category at 66 kilograms, and teammate Leonardo Smart finished fifth in the M3 division for competitors over 100 kilograms.
The delegation competed under the guidance of coach Ramiro Ruiz, president of the Asociación de Judo y Defensa Personal del Chubut, alongside staff members Nadia Bravo and Doris Grant. The event itself was organized by the veterans secretariat of the Federación Neuquina de Judo, with backing from municipal and provincial authorities.
Athlete Reflections on the Neuquén Competition
Reflecting on her tournament opener, Aldana Smart noted that she felt nervous at the start after several years away from veteran competition. Smart finished with two victories to claim her gold medal, describing the experience of traveling and competing alongside her father and teammates as meaningful.
Cristian Fresco, who also serves as a judo instructor at Gimnasio Municipal Nº2, acknowledged the collective effort behind his second-place finish.
Upcoming Coaching Assignments and Next Steps
Looking ahead to regional and national competitions, Cristian Fresco and Doris Grant are slated to serve as coaches for the Chubut provincial men’s and women’s Under-14 teams respectively during the upcoming national phase of the Juegos Evita. Fresco expressed enthusiasm about returning to provincial selection duties, emphasizing that team attitude remains a foundational element ahead of preparations running toward October.
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