---
title: "Kristine Jiménez Wins Panama's Seventh Medal at South American Games"
date: 2026-09-19
author: "Panama Daily News"
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/09/19/kristine-jimenez-wins-panamas-seventh-medal-at-south-american-games/
categories:
  - "Sports"
---

# Kristine Jiménez Wins Panama's Seventh Medal at South American Games

Panamanian judoka Kristine Jiménez has captured the country’s seventh medal at the 2026 South American Games, delivering a standout performance that has become one of the defining moments of Panama’s campaign at the regional multi-sport event.

## What Happened

Jiménez, a judoka who hails from the province of Veraguas, battled through a difficult path in her competition to reach the podium. According to TVN 2, the athlete overcame obstacles along the way, demonstrating resilience and technical skill to secure a medal for the Panamanian delegation. Her result brings Panama’s total medal count at the Games to seven.

The podium finish represents a significant achievement for Panamanian judo, a discipline in which the country has traditionally had limited representation at major international events. Jiménez’s success on the regional stage places her among the standout Panamanian athletes of this edition of the Games.

## Background

The South American Games are a multi-sport competition bringing together athletes from across the region, serving as an important stepping stone for many competitors on the road to larger events such as the Pan American Games and, ultimately, the Olympic Games. Medals at the regional level often signal emerging talent capable of competing on bigger stages.

For Panama, a country with a relatively small athletic delegation compared with regional powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, each medal carries outsized importance. Panamanian athletes have historically concentrated their strongest results in a handful of disciplines, which makes breakthrough performances in sports like judo especially valuable for broadening the country’s sporting base.

Jiménez’s journey is also notable for her origins in Veraguas, a province in the interior of the country. Athletes who rise from Panama’s interior provinces often train with fewer resources than those based in Panama City, and their achievements are frequently celebrated as inspirations for young athletes outside the capital.

## What This Means for Panama

Reaching seven medals at the 2026 South American Games marks a productive campaign for the Panamanian delegation, and Jiménez’s podium finish in judo adds to the momentum. Her result highlights the growing depth of Panamanian sport beyond its traditional strongholds and underscores the role of regional competitions in developing athletes for higher-level international events.

Judges of Panama’s sporting development will be watching whether Jiménez can build on this result at upcoming continental championships and future Olympic qualifying events. For the country’s judo federation, a regional medal strengthens the case for continued investment in training programs and support for athletes from all provinces.

As the Games continue, Panama’s delegation will look to add to its medal tally, with Jiménez’s achievement serving as a benchmark for teammates still competing in the remaining events.

This story was originally reported by [TVN 2](https://www.tvn-2.com/tvmax/mas-deportes/juegos-suramericanos-2026-kristine-jimenez-medalla-bronce-judo_1_2261786.html).