Sanfer Judo dominates the Asturias Junior Championship

The Asturias Junior Judo Championship, held in La Felguera, has witnessed the supremacy of the Club San Fernando, which with only five judokas achieved an impressive harvest: three golds, one silver and one bronze. With these results, the team led by Iván Faleato is positioned as the best club in Avilés in terms of the ratio of number of competitors and successes obtained. Faleato, always demanding with his team, highlights: "In the female category we have been dominating for several years, but what is really surprising is the projection we have in the male category under 81 kg. We are seeing significant growth."

Sara Zapatero, gold in under 48 kg

The championship began with the under 48 kg category, where Sara Zapatero faced off in a league of three competitors. In her first fight, she had to face Patricia Morales, from the Sakura Club, an opponent already known to Sara and who she once again defeated without problems. However, the coach underlines Sara's enormous work: "Sara has worked harder than ever for this championship, she has studied Patricia thoroughly, and that has been noticeable."

After the victory, Zapatero imposed herself with authority and easily defeated Paula Sequeiro, from Noreña Berrón. With this victory, she was proclaimed champion of Asturias, achieving a double in the cadet and junior ranking. "Although the results outside Asturias have not been in her favour, here she has had a splendid season," says Faleato.

Alba Sánchez reigns in under 52 kg

If there was one particularly tough category in the women's competition, it was the under 52 kg category, where Alba Sánchez took gold in one of the most competitive leagues of the tournament. Her first fight was against Leire González, from Óscar Fernández, in a high-level national clash. But Alba made it clear who was in charge on the tatami: she won the fight with an ippon after studying her rival's left foot perfectly. "Alba has had spectacular progress this season. At first things didn't go her way, but now she's at her best. She has managed to place third in the national cadet ranking and dominates both junior and cadet in Asturias."

In the final, she faced María Ordóñez, who showed her best form. Although Alba's victory came only by a yuko, Faleato highlights the maturity of her judoka: "She knew how to manage the fight like the champion that she is. María has improved a lot, but Alba has shown that she is one step ahead."

Sanfer dominates in less than 63 kg

In less than 63 kg, the dominance of the San Fernando It was absolute. The final was between our judokas Candela Castellano and Paula López. "It was a very close fight, because they know each other very well from training together. Anyone could win." Finally, Candela Castellano took advantage of a counterattack to score a yuko and take the gold, leaving Paula López with the silver. The latter, however, still has a chance of qualifying for the Junior North Sector, thanks to her recent national medal.

Martín Quiroga, the judo fighter with the greatest potential in the weight class under 81 kg

In the men's category, Martín Quiroga took bronze in the under 81 kg category, although his coach insists that his position does not reflect his true level. "Quiroga demonstrates adult judo, with a technique superior to the rest. His thing is strategy and control, while others go without organization." In the semi-finals, Martín dominated his fight from start to finish with an advantage on the scoreboard, imposing his rhythm and strategy, but with 35 seconds left, his rival found an unexpected projection and achieved a wazari, leaving him out of the final. "It was an isolated action, a mistake that his rival knew how to take advantage of. It's a shame, because Quiroga had victory in his hands. But this is judo, and we know that a single error can decide a fight."

However, in the fight for bronze, he literally ran over his rival, showing his superiority and securing a place on the podium. "Martin has spectacular judo, the kind that is a pleasure to watch on the tatami. He has a bright future, and if he continues with this progression, I have no doubt that he will be fighting for much bigger things in the next national championships."

A small but lethal team

With a balance of three golds, one silver and one bronze, the San Fernando has shown that his philosophy works: "We don't focus on quantity, but on quality. The work on the mat is very hard, but the results are coming."

Thus, the Avilés club closes the Asturias Junior Championship with the certainty that it is on the right path and with its sights set on continuing to achieve success.