About the Open Pan American Guayaquil 2020
With the Open Pan American Guayaquil 2020, the Ecuadorian Judo Federation (FEJ) seeks to reactivate high-level competition in America, following the suspension of Olympic qualifying events since March due to the global health emergency.
The event, endorsed by the Pan American Judo Confederation and providing points for the ranking, is scheduled to take place at the Abel Jiménez Parra Coliseum in Parque Samanes from October 31st to November 1st.
"In America, we are the pioneers in doing so, we have the invitations, we are expecting the attendance," highlighted Roberto Ibáñez García, selection coordinator and president of the FEJ. "We know that in September some airports were closed, we have received the news that many of them will be opened in October. There is an event, which is the Pan American in November, and we think that we should have a prior competition, that's why we are offering this open. Registrations are open until October 16th."
The FEJ is preparing with a series of biosafety protocols: "Once they come with their PCR test, we have to do another test here, not only to the athletes and coaches, but also to the referees. We have a hotel where they will have all their meals, they will be transported from the airport to the hotel, from the hotel to the coliseum, that will be their bubble. Each delegation will have a bus for them, the athletes will not be mixed..."
The main objective this year is the Pan American Championship to be held in November in Guadalajara, Mexico. The tournament will award 700 points to the winner. "Thanks to the COE, we have guaranteed participation in the Pan American for adults, because they will help us with the elite group, the four who are on their way to Olympic classification. I want to take this opportunity to thank lawyer Augusto Morán for supporting us for this event, as he has always done when money is needed, he is always ready to help us..."
Concentration at the Ecuadorian Coliseum
Under all biosecurity measures, the FEJ has already spent more than 40 days in concentration with its high-performance team composed of 14 athletes. "They arrived in a fairly acceptable athletic condition, it was possible to maintain their fitness to some extent with the training sessions held via Zoom, focused on physical preparation," said coach José Romero. "Now, after seven weeks of training, the athletes are in good shape and we are fine-tuning the technical details and especially weight control, which was one of the things that declined during the quarantine."
Vanessa Chalá (-78 kg) and Lenin Preciado (-60 kg) remain within the Olympic ranking in the qualification zone for Tokyo 2020.
"We are in a very good position among the top 16 in the world, we have to stay and keep adding..." said Lenin Preciado, who would compete in the Open Pan American in the 66 kg category. "We hope that everything goes well, it seems that I will be in another category, so we have to start preparing... At the moment, my weight is 60 kg, I will fight in 66 kg, it's a weight that I plan to be in the future, after these Olympic Games."
"Since the start of the concentration, I have been excited, now I am focused and dedicated to participating in each event in the best possible way and continue to add points to maintain direct qualification, so that another teammate can also achieve their qualification. This event will serve as preparation for the strong event, which is the Pan American in Mexico, which is very important for the Olympic ranking," said Vanessa Chalá.
Estefanía García (-63 kg) currently has the Pan American spot, while Freddy Figueroa (+100 kg) remains with possibilities. "The important thing is to obtain as many points as possible in the upcoming events, try to be on the podium to continue rising in the ranking and secure the qualification even more," said Estefanía. "This open gives me 100 points for first place; the Pan American gives 700 points, the idea is to reach the final and win it to add those 700 points and rise in both the Olympic and world ranking."
The FEJ is awaiting the international calendar to confirm the events that have not yet been canceled. (D)