Cypriot judoka Petros Christodoulides has achieved a major international victory, claiming the gold medal in the -66 kg category at the Panamerican Open 2025 held in Peru. The Cyprus Judo Federation expressed its immense satisfaction with the champion's latest success, highlighting his impressive run of four consecutive victories on his way to the top of the podium.
According to an announcement, Christodoulides' path to gold was "impressive" as he defeated competitors from Canada, Brazil, and Argentina before facing two-time Australian Olympian Joshua Katz in the final. In a decisive performance, Christodoulides defeated the highly decorated athlete by ippon (a knockout score) to secure the title. The Federation noted that this achievement is a vindication of his dedication and talent, building on a strong record that includes a Grand Prix bronze medal and 5th place at the World University Games and the Commonwealth Games.
The victory provides Christodoulides with 100 valuable points for the World Rankings, significantly boosting his standing in his new category and raising the profile of Cyprus Judo internationally. The success in Peru was further compounded by a strong 5th-place finish for fellow Cypriot champion Giannis Antoniou at the Grand Prix.
Source: CNA