At the Juegos Suramericanos Santa Fe 2026, experienced Chilean judoka Thomas Briceño captured the 21st gold medal for Team Chile by defeating Venezuelan competitor Samuel Corzo in the -100kg final. According to coverage from La Tercera, the 33-year-old athlete relied on his tactical experience on the tatami to secure a victory that had previously eluded him in his career.
Path to the Gold Medal in Santa Fe
The journey through the -100kg bracket demanded resilience from the two-time Olympian and Lima 2019 Pan American Games champion. Reports indicate that Briceño managed physical discomfort leading up to the competition, which added an extra layer of difficulty to his tournament run.
Reflecting on his matches, Briceño noted that the team faced a tough opening stretch following weight-cut procedures. He pointed out a solid initial victory against Peru, a tightly contested battle against Brazil, and a final showdown against Corzo that mirrored the intensity of his previous continental finals. Ultimately, the Chilean competitor turned the bout around in golden score to seal the win.
Overcoming Past Odesur Obstacles
This victory in Argentina served as personal redemption for Briceño within the South American Games. Historical records show that prior to this tournament, gold at the Odesur event remained missing from his resume. He missed the Santiago 2014 games due to an injury and subsequently claimed bronze medals at Cochabamba 2018 and Asunción 2022.
With this latest triumph, Briceño adds a South American Games title to a collection that already features gold from the Pan American Games and the Bolivarian Games. Looking ahead, the judoca has already set his sights on the upcoming Olympic cycle with an eye toward Los Angeles 2028.
Broader Success for Team Chile on the Tatami
Briceño’s gold medal was part of a broader medal haul for the Chilean judo delegation in Santa Fe. According to verified tournament reports, Francisco Solís earned a silver medal in the +100kg division after dropping the final match to Brazil’s Andrey de Souza.
In the -81kg category, Jorge Pérez secured a bronze medal by defeating Panama’s Alexis Harrison. Meanwhile, the women’s delegation also contributed to the podium count; Mary Dee Vargas claimed bronze in the -48kg division by overcoming Ecuador’s Laura Vásquez, and Marcela Alfaro added another bronze in the -57kg category following a win against Uruguay’s Maya Leopold.
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