Historic Succesful Debut in Peru – Judo Lima Grand Prix 2025

From October 11 to 13, 2025, Lima, Peru hosted its first-ever IJF World Tour event — the Lima Grand Prix 2025 — at the Coliseo Eduardo Dibós, marking a milestone for Pan American judo and bringing elite competition to South America. With 284 judoka from 48 nations vying across 14 weight categories, the event offered high drama, tactical clashes, and breakthrough performances.

Tournament Overview

Peru’s debut as a Grand Prix host attracted strong fields across both men’s and women’s divisions, with 165 men and 119 women in attendance.

On Day 1, the tournament opened with lightweight and lighter classes (–48 kg, –52 kg, –57 kg on the women’s side; –60 kg, –66 kg on the men’s side). Over the ensuing days, middle and heavier weights would take center stage, including –73 kg, –81 kg, –63 kg, –70 kg on Day 2 and the remaining heavier divisions on Day 3.

Judging by early reports, the organizational effort was praised by both the IJF and participating athletes. IJF President Marius Vizer commended Peru for earning this event through years of development in continental and junior-level competitions. Maria Martinez, head of the Peruvian Judo Federation, framed the event as a landmark moment for judo in Peru and Latin America.

Key Moments and Shifts

Day 1 – A Spectacular Opening

Lima’s entry into the world judo calendar got off to a thrilling start. At –48 kg, Chile’s Mary Dee Vargas Ley captured gold – Peru’s neighbor earned its first Grand Prix gold and lit up the home crowd.

Also notable was the performance by Peru’s Brillith Gamarra, who secured her country’s first IJF World Tour medal, boosting local pride. In the men’s –60 kg, Izhak Ashpiz (Israel) surged to the final, marking a major breakthrough. The –66 kg category featured a tense final between Valerio Accogli (Italy) and Julien Frascadore (Canada), where a counter in golden score secured the Italian’s victory.

Also grabbing attention was Amandine Buchard of France, who had moved up to the –57 kg class for Lima. She advanced to the final, where she would face compatriot Faïza Mokdar in an all-French showdown.

Day 2 – Upsets and Reshuffling

By the end of Day 2, the standings among nations had already shifted. France had led early, but by evening, Brazil took over the top spot with two golds. Italy’s consistent results earned it a third-place climb. Possibly the most dramatic upset came in the –81 kg bracket, where Azerbaijan’s Hidayat Heydarov — reigning champion in multiple circuits — was eliminated by France’s Dayyan Boulemtafes. In the –73 kg final, Daniel Cargnin (Brazil) edged out Boulemtafes with a last-minute yuko in a tightly contested match.

Meanwhile, in the women’s –63 kg, Jessica Klimkait (Canada) executed a precise drop-shoulder technique for ippon in the final, taking gold over Brazil’s Nauana Silva. The two bronze medals went to Germany’s Friederike Stolze and Slovenia’s Kaja Kajzer.

Day 3 – Heavyweights and Closing Acts

While detailed information on the heavier men’s and women’s divisions (+78 kg, –78 kg, –100 kg, +100 kg) has been less accessible in public summaries as of now, the contest sheets suggest fierce battles to cap off the Lima Grand Prix.

>> Final results – ijf.org <<<

Reflections and Significance

The Lima Grand Prix 2025 was not just another stop on the IJF circuit — it signified Peru’s entry into hosting senior-level world judo events and opened a new geographic chapter for the sport in Latin America. The strong performances from South American athletes—including the Chilean gold and Peru’s first World Tour medal—spoke to deepening regional competitiveness.

The competition also showcased how volatile judo can be: favorites fell earlier than expected, and late-match tactics decided final outcomes, as seen in the Cargnin–Boulemtafes final and Klimkait’s decisive throw. Countries such as Brazil, France, Italy, and Israel showed depth across multiple weights, reinforcing their position on the global judo map.

For Scandinavian judo fans, one highlight stands out: Ida Eriksson of Sweden captured gold in the women’s –70 kg division — a notable achievement on this international stage.

Looking Ahead

As athletes depart Lima, attention now turns to upcoming Grand Slams and other IJF Tour events, where ranking points, national pride, and qualification pathways will intensify competition. The Lima Grand Prix may be over, but its legacy may lie in inspiring more events in underrepresented regions and motivating Latin American judoka to aim higher.