Pan American Championship begins in Cuba with points for Rio 2016 up for grabs

The Pan American Judo Championship began on Friday in Havana's Sports City's coliseum, where more than 200 competitors from 25 countries will participate in the hope of winning points towards the Olympic Games in Brazil.

According to the Cuban Judo Federation, the competitors are seeking to qualify for the event scheduled to take place from August 5 to 21 in Rio de Janeiro.

The first day of the two-day Judo competition features fights in the 48, 52, 57 and 63 kilograms categories for women and the 60, 66 and 73 kilograms categories for men.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and the United States are among the nations represented at the judo competition, as well as the host country.

The contest in Cuba will see various Olympic medallists and world and continental champions such as Brazil's Olympic champion Sarah Menezes, Argentina's Paula Pareto and Cuba's Pan American champion Dayaris Mestre. All of these women will compete in the 48 kilograms category.

One of the notable absences will be Asley Gonzalez (90 kilograms), Cuba's best judoka who has already qualified for Rio 2016. Gonzalez has been suffering with his right shoulder and due to that he was operated on earlier this year.

Gonzalez, silver-medal-winner at London 2012 and world champion in Rio de Janeiro 2013, is scheduled to compete in the World Masters (WM) in the city of Guadalajara in the western Mexican state of Jalisco in May. Endit