---
title: "Adrián Holguín wins bronze for Panama in youth South American Games judo"
date: 2026-04-15
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/panama-judo-bronze-adrian-holguin/
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Sports"
tags:
  - "Adrián Holguín"
  - "bronze medal"
  - "judo"
  - "Panama 2026"
  - "Panama delegation"
  - "South American Youth Games"
---

# Adrián Holguín wins bronze for Panama in youth South American Games judo

## What Happened

Panamanian judoka Adrián Holguín added another medal to the host nation’s tally at the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026, taking bronze in the men’s 81-kilogram division.

Holguín secured the podium spot by defeating Paraguay’s Elías Verón in the bronze-medal bout. The victory followed a demanding route through the bracket, including a quarterfinal battle with Argentina’s Ulises Calle that went beyond regulation time and was decided in sudden death.

## How He Reached the Podium

In that quarterfinal, Holguín found the decisive yuko in golden-score action to move into the semifinals and guarantee at least a bronze medal for Panama. His run ended in the semifinal, where Colombia’s Daniel Palomino came out on top.

Holguín then regrouped for the third-place match and delivered Panama’s sixth medal of the competition, a result that adds to the country’s presence in the medal standings during the youth regional event held on home soil.

## Panama’s Medal Push

The bronze gives Panama another highlight in a tournament that has drawn attention to the country’s young athletes across multiple disciplines. Hosting the South American Youth Games has put Panamanian competitors in front of a home crowd, with results like Holguín’s helping build momentum for the delegation.

In the men’s 81-kilogram judo final, Brazil’s Yago Mello defeated Palomino to win gold, completing the podium alongside Holguín and the Colombian silver medalist’s path through the competition.

## Other Panamanian Participation

Panama also had action in the women’s judo bracket, where Gabriela Masih reached the repechage round in the -63 kilogram category. Her run added to the country’s broader participation in the sport at the Games.

Holguín’s bronze stands as another medal for Panama at an event designed to showcase the region’s rising athletes and test them against strong South American opposition. For the host nation, every podium finish carries added significance as the Games continue in Panama.