A Golden Victory for Chilean Judo
This past Saturday, Mary Dee Vargas etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Chilean judoka to win a gold medal on the World Tour circuit. Her triumphant run at the Lima Grand Prix 2025 in Lima, Peru culminated in a nail-biting final, where she defeated France’s Coralie Gilly to claim gold in the -48 kg women’s division.
The win was not only a personal milestone but also a historic moment for Chilean judo—catapulting the sport into the national spotlight and establishing Vargas as an icon of resilience and precision.
Rising Through the Ranks in Lima
Vargas blazed through Pool D, defeating Heidi Quach (CAN) and Tamar Malca (ISR) with dominant performances. She then outclassed Konul Aliyeva (AZE) in the semifinals.
In the final, Vargas opened aggressively with a sharp o-uchi-gari, scoring yuko in just five seconds. Although Gilly later countered with a tani-otoshi to force golden score, Vargas remained composed. She blocked a final attack and executed another o-uchi-gari to earn waza-ari—securing Chile’s first-ever Judo Grand Prix gold.
Built on Determination and Experience
Born December 7, 1996, Vargas has long been a standout. Her resume includes:
- 3x Gold Medalist at the Pan American Judo Championships
- Bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games
- Represented Chile at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics
Though her Olympic and World Championship runs often ended early, Vargas’ dedication never wavered—and her win in Lima is the reward for years of grit.
Eyes on Guadalajara After Lima
Vargas will now compete in the Panamerican Open in Lima on October 14, before heading to Mexico for the Grand Prix of Guadalajara on October 17. Her mission: continue climbing the World Tour rankings and inspire future generations.
The New Face of Chilean Judo
Mary Dee Vargas’s performance wasn’t just historic—it was electrifying. Her tactical brilliance, mental toughness, and relentless spirit are redefining Chilean judo. Her gold marks a turning point for the sport in Latin America and sets a bold new standard for Chilean athletes worldwide.
