Photos (credit to USA Judo): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/u5dtop3l3gaf1t757j3tf/ALoyaStqVQovso0e5vq5QLM?rlkey=6h6vkmw7j7d4dwdov0b6by1c8&st=6uxctly5&dl=0
Media Contact:
Brenna Moore/Visit Albuquerque
Office: (505) 222-4349
Moore@VisitABQ.org
Albuquerque to Host 2026 USA Judo Senior National Championships
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – (May 7, 2026) – Albuquerque will host elite athletes from across the country at the 2026 USA Judo Senior National Championships, taking place May 9-10 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The event marks the return of a USA Judo national championship to New Mexico for the first time in more than 20 years.
The pinnacle of competition for Olympic hopefuls, the two-day national event is expected to draw more than 1,250 attendees and contribute $768,000 in estimated direct spend to the local economy.
“We’re excited to be able to bring the Senior National Championships to a city that is both an outstanding location and has a rich tradition of holding excellent sporting events,” said USA Judo CEO Corinne Shigemoto. “Our partners at Visit Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Sports Commission all have been outstanding to work with, and I know they are looking forward to helping put on a first-class event for the USA Judo family and showcase our sport to the community in Albuquerque.”
“Hosting the Judo Senior National Championships in Albuquerque represents a significant moment for our sports community,” said Tania Armenta, President & CEO of Visit Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Sports Commission. “We’re proud to partner on an event of this caliber and look forward to the opportunity to showcase our city while also delivering economic impact for our local businesses.”
Top athletes to watch include two Olympians from the 2024 Paris Games (photos; credit to “USA Judo”):
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Maria Laborde (Kenosha, Wisconsin / NYAC / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 48kg), 2024 Olympian, current World No. 9, 2023 Masters silver medalist, 2014 Senior World bronze medalist for Cuba, and six-time Senior Pan Am Championships medalist for Team USA.
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Jack Yonezuka (West Long Branch, New Jersey / NYAC / Cranford JKC / 73kg), 2024 Olympian, current World No. 10, two-time Junior World medalist, and 2025 Senior Pan Am Champion.
In addition to senior competition, athletes will compete in divisions for veterans (ages 30-80+), kata (forms), brown belt, novice and IJF-Junior events, showcasing the full spectrum of the sport.
The weekend will feature two distinct forms of judo competition. On Saturday, May 9, athletes will compete in the Senior Shiai Gold Medal Finals: a formal, match-based format used in the Olympics and major international tournaments. On Sunday, May 10, the event will showcase kata competition, where pairs demonstrate pre-arranged, choreographed techniques that demonstrate ideal principles of motion, balance and technique.
All competitions are open to the public. Spectator admission on Saturday is $15 for individuals 13 and older, $12 for children ages 9-12, and free for children ages 8 and younger. Admission to Sunday’s kata competition is free. Tickets can be purchased on site at the front door.
For more information, including event schedules, visit https://www.usajudo.com/2026-usa-judo-senior-national-championships.
About Visit Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Sports Commission
Visit Albuquerque is an accredited destination marketing organization (DMO), and a private, not-for-profit organization [501(c)(6)]. The mission of Visit Albuquerque is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a convention and visitor destination, as well as a premier sports destination through the efforts of the Albuquerque Sports Commission (a division of Visit Albuquerque). For more information, go to www.VisitABQ.org.
About USA Judo
USA Judo is dedicated to advancing the sport of judo across the United States, fostering excellence, discipline and respect among athletes of all levels. Through national championships, development programs and year-round opportunities, USA Judo supports both competitive achievement and personal growth, promoting the values of skill, perseverance and sportsmanship within a strong and connected community.
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