The world’s best judokas will be in Guadalajara this weekend as the city hosts the 26th World Judo Masters, sponsored by the International Judo Federation, from Friday, May 27 through Sunday, May 29 at the Polideportivo Lopez Mateos complex.
More than 200 judokas from 50 nations will be competing, including five Olympic gold medallists: Tagir Khaibulaev of Russia, Kayla Harrison of the United States, Sarah Menezes of Brazil, Kaori Matsumoto of Japan and Idalys Ortiz of Cuba.
The Guadalajara competition will represent the last chance for many competitors to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in August.
Among judokas from Jalisco with possibilities of obtaining a ticket to Rio are Edna Guadalupe Torres Carrillo and Isao Cardenas Alfonso Melendez (both bronze medal winners in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto), as well as Andrea Gutierrez Casandra Herrera.
Morning sessions begin at 10 a.m. on each day, while the afternoon sessions commence at 5 p.m. The opening ceremony will be on Friday at 4 p.m.
The Jalisco Sports Commission (Code) has spent around $US1 million preparing the Polideportivo Lopez Mateos to be in the right condition to host this important event and opening ceremony, according to Code Director General André Marx Miranda.
The stadium was built to house gymnastic competitions in the 2011 Pan American Games and can seat 2,500 spectators.
The Polideportivo Lopez Mateos is at Avenida Colon 2189, corner of Lázaro Cárdenas, in the Zona Industrial. Tickets may be purchased at the door.