41st WMC Judo - Santo Domingo (DOM) - Update Day 1

41st Military World Judo Championship Commences with Spectacular Opening Ceremony at Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO (DOM) - The prestigious volleyball pavilion of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center set the stage for an exhilarating opening ceremony of the 41st World Military Judo Championship, organized by the CISM and the Delegation of Dominican Republic to CISM.

Distinguished military leaders and notable public figures graced this momentous inauguration, including Lieutenant-General Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, Minister of Defense, and Brigadier General Delio B. Colón Rosario, President of the Board of the Sports Circle of the Armed Forces and National Police, and CISM Vice President Americas. Accompanying them at the Head Table were esteemed officials from the Dominican Armed Forces, along with the presence of Major General Oleg Botsman, Member of the Board of Directors and Official CISM Representative of the event

Adding to the grandeur of the ceremony were Franklin de la Mota, Administrative Vice Minister of the Ministry of Sports of the Dominican Republic, and Garibaldy Bautista, President of the Olympic Committee. The event was further graced by the esteemed French ambassador, Eric Fournier, and the Japanese ambassador, Mr. Takagi Masahiro.

General Colón Rosario expressed his enthusiasm and encouraged Judo enthusiasts and the general public to come and witness this historic event, as it marks the first time the Dominican Republic has had the honor of hosting such a prestigious competition.

Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, Minister of Defense, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming days of competition and stated that this 41st WMC Judo promises to be an unforgettable event that will showcase the skill and dedication of our military personnel in the realm of sports.

The championship marks the commencement of a thrilling competition that will see the participation of athletes from 16 countries, including South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Republic of Korea, France, Uzbekistan, Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the host country, Dominican Republic.

Preparations for the championship have been underway since Monday, July 24th, with the arrival of the participating delegations. On Thursday, July 27th, the athletes' weigh-ins for the various categories took place in preparation for the official competitions, which are scheduled to begin on Friday, July 28th, starting at 2:00 in the afternoon, at the renowned Dr. Gioriver Arias Volleyball Pavilion.

This world championship stands as a testament to the strength, discipline, and honor that epitomize our military forces. The Dominican Republic takes pride in hosting this event that unites nations from across the globe in a spirit of camaraderie, friendly competition, and mutual respect.

Join us in celebrating the spirit of international sportsmanship and excellence as we embark on this exciting journey of the 41st WMC Judo in Santo Domingo. Let us come together to support and celebrate the world's finest judo athletes as they compete on the grand stage.

Stay tuned for further updates on the action-packed days of competition, as athletes from around the world showcase their remarkable talents on the judo mat.

For further information and updates, please visit the official event website.

(Source: Delegation of Dominican Republic to CISM)