FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Judo wrapped up its Paralympic qualifying tournament Saturday, awarding medal for the first-ever mixed team competition.
The United States took Silver out of 8 teams featuring both men and women. The Americans fell to Ukraine in the Gold Medal match. Brazil finished with the Bronze. Those countries advance to the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
“It’s truly a dream,” U.S. judoka Sarah Chung, of Chicago, tells ParkviewSportsMedicine.com. “It’s kind of indescribable coming to an international qualifier in our backyard.” Individually, Chung finished tied for 7th in the 70-kilogram weight class.
The Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne held both the mixed team and individual competitions for men and women ranging from 48 kilograms to 100+ kilograms. The Top 3 individuals from each weight class qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Parkview Sports Medicine was proud to be part of the historic event in Fort Wayne, providing athletic trainers for every athletic event during the week long international qualifier. PSM and Parkview Health are proud partners of host Turnstone Center, too.