• Submitted by: admin
• Sports
• 07 / 19 / 2007

Rio de Janeiro, July 19. Competitors of the heaviest divisions will be the first to compete for the gold medals in the judo tournament of the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro Thursday.

The official list of participants is not yet known but specialists anticipate a close struggle between representatives of Cuba and Brazil in the categories of 100 kg. (male classification) and Cubans in the female over 78 kg.

In the male 100 kg. division, Cuba's Oscar Braison will defend the national colors in a division where Brazilian Daniel Hernandez outstands as the champion of the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, and also the best in the two last Pan American Championships in Buenos Aires and Montreal, Canada.

This division has always been dominated by athletes from Cuba, Brazil and the United States. Cuba is the maximum winner, with four Pan American Game titles.

In the female over 78 kg. division, Cuban Ivis Dueñas is called upon to retain her supremacy and the Cuban team supremacy since the 1991 Games in Havana.

Source: Prensa-latina.com