Saturday, october 28nd, 2023.- In the early stages of the judo competition at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, Chilean Mary Dee Vargas lost against Colombian Erika Lasso, in the 48-kg category. Despite this setback, Vargas will have a second chance to advance through a repechage match against Argentina's Ingrid Perafan.

Mary Dee Vargas came to these Pan American Games as one of Chile's hopefuls to secure a podium finish. However, in her debut at the Centro de Deportes de Contacto in Estadio Nacional, she was bested by the Colombian via an ippon.

Another local judoka, Lucas Fernández, won his match with an ippon against Ecuador's Bryan Garboa, securing a spot in the semifinals.

In other matches featuring local competitors, Juan Sebastián Pérez faced a defeat against Colombian Juan Pablo Hernández in the male's 66-kg category, Elizabeth Soto lost to the American judoka Tasha Cancela in the female's 57-kg category, and Judith González emerged victorious against Ecuadorian Aracelly Barrionuevo in the female's 52-kg category.

Judo will award its first medals today as the finalists are determined in the 48 to 66-kg categories for both women and men.

Written by Alejandro Pérez; translated by Josefina Zamorano / Photosport
Photo by Mauricio Ulloa / Santiago 2023 / Photosport