Paula Pareto addresses importance IJF Masters in Pan America

2015 World Champion Paula Pareto is looking forward to the IJF Masters in Guadalajara in Mexico in May. It helps the continent grow as for the first such important tournament will be held in Pan America. The IJF Masters started in 2010 in Suwon, Korea. In 2011 it was held in Baku, 2012 in Almaty in the Olympic year which unveiled a lot of later medallists. In 2013 it was held in Tyumen far away in Russia and in 2015 in Rabat in Morocco, which was also a fantastic happening for Africa. Now the IJF Tour lands in Mexico.

IJF President, Marius L Vizer, accompanied by Manuel Larrañaga, president of Mexico judo federation and Pan American Judo Confederation in March to officially launch the new IJF training center.

Mexico and specifically Guadalajara will be soon at the center of attention as one of the major events of the year, the World Masters, will be held in the capital city of the State of Jalisco from May 27-29, 2016. This year the event will have a special taste as it will be the closing competition of the Olympic qualification period and World Champion Paula Pareto realises the impact of the event.

“For all of us in South America we must have big events such as the Masters in Guadalajara. Hopefully we can send more athletes so we have a more chances to send more athletes to the Olympic Games. If these events would be in Europe it would all become more complicated because of the financial implications. It’s a very positive thing which helps judo to grow in our continent. I speak to many athletes from the region and many athletes tell me the same thing. I think Judo is a way life, something which is part of you when you are little. You create special bonds with people and make friends who actually become more like family. For me judo does that more than anything else in your country and in the rest of the world. It’s something that I recommend everyone.”              

“I enjoyed the moment that I win medals. It’s always important to be on a podium. It makes me feel great. It’s also nice to finish a fight with ippon. I am ready to analyse everything for what’s next. “

“During my fights I feel the intensity. Sometimes you feel a fight is more physically demanding. But if you win, you feel it. I respect the opponents, as I also expect to receive respect when I win. Off the mat we’re friends. I have to keep on working each time to improve. You can be unsatisfied but you need to work on the next match with the same energy and off from emotions.”