Spain closed out the 2026 World Veterans Judo Championships in Sarajevo with a haul of twelve medals, anchored by Alfonso García’s gold in the -100 kg M8 category. Over five intense days of competition at the Bosnian capital’s main venue, more than 1,300 athletes from 65 nations took to the tatamis, showcasing a global standard of veteran competition where experience and respect dictated the pace of every match.
The Spanish delegation’s campaign was marked by consistent podium finishes across multiple weight classes, culminating in a final tally of one gold, five silver, and six bronze medals. According to reports from the Real Federación Española de Judo y Deportes Asociados, the week-long international showcase underscored the deep competitive longevity thriving within the Spanish judo community.
Alfonso García Claims the Gold in Sarajevo
The pinnacle of Spain’s performance arrived through Alfonso García, who captured the world title in the -100 kg M8 division. García delivered a flawless sequence of tactical performances on the tatami, climbing to the top step of the podium to secure the delegation’s lone gold medal. His victory capped months of dedicated physical preparation and an unwavering competitive drive, establishing a benchmark for the rest of the team in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following García’s gold, the Spanish squad secured five silver medals through a resilient group of finalists. Aarón Blanco claimed second place in the -66 kg M3 category, while Alberto Arnal earned silver in the -100 kg M4 division. Additional silver finishes came from Iñigo Elorza in the -60 kg M7 class and Francisco Lorenzo in the -73 kg M8 category. During the tournament’s closing session dedicated to the final female brackets, Ana Roldán Viar added a vital silver in the -57 kg F5 division, rounding out a standout performance for Spain’s women competitors.
Six Bronze Medals Complete the Spanish Medallero
Spain’s accumulation of six bronze medals further validated the squad’s depth across diverse age divisions and weight brackets. In the men’s brackets, Igor Herrero secured third place in -90 kg M2, Alberto Barragán took bronze in -60 kg M4, and Javier Suárez reached the podium in -73 kg M4. They were joined by Francisco Javier Moreno in -66 kg M6 and Ángel Benavides in -81 kg M6, whose results were confirmed through official International Judo Federation records cited by RFEJudo.
On the women’s side, Miriam Moreno Velázquez clinched the bronze medal in the -52 kg F4 category during the final day of competition, cementing the delegation’s final count at twelve total podium finishes. The RFEJudo emphasized that the collective achievement extends beyond the medal table, recognizing the grueling months of personal sacrifice, club training, and family support required for veteran competitors to reach the global stage.
