Monday, October 30th, 2023.- There is officially a new champion at the Pan American Games in the men's -100kg category of judo. This comes after Canadian Shady Elnahas defeated Chilean Thomas Briceño 10-0 in the battle for the gold medal at the Centro de Deportes de Contacto at Estadio Nacional.

The match was closely contested for much of the regulation time, and both players ended up with penalties: two shidos for the host and only one for the victor. The decisive move was an ippon near the end in favor of Elnahas.

The North American, ranked fifth in the world in his discipline, reached the final by defeating American Nathaniel Keeve in the quarter-finals and Brazilian Leonardo Goncalves in the semi-finals.

Briceño, who was the best at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, reached the final after defeating Brazilian Kayo Santos 10-0. After several minutes of combat, the local athlete submitted the Brazilian via ippon and secured his place in the battle for the gold medal with a 10-0 victory.

The bronze medals were claimed by Kayo Santos, who defeated the Cuban Liester Cardona 10-0, and Colombian Francisco Balanta, who defeated Brazilian Leonardo Goncalves 1-0.

Written by Marcelo González: translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 via Photosport
Photo by Luis Hidalgo / Santiago 2023 via Photosport