Rose Ortiz and Thor Guerrero Earn “Baku Experience” Honors at 2026 Golden State Open

The 2026 Golden State Open delivered one of the most exciting weekends in American judo this year, welcoming nearly 1,400 entries from athletes ranging from 5-year-old beginners to elite Senior and Veteran competitors at the Los Angeles Convention Center, future home of judo during the LA28 Olympic Games.

Among the many standout performances, two young athletes rose above the rest.

Rose Ortiz of Guerreros Judo Club in La Puente, California, and Thor Guerrero of Hawaii Judo Academy were selected as the Most Outstanding Female and Male Athletes in the IJF Junior divisions, earning fully sponsored positions in the “Baku Experience,” an international athlete development program created through the partnership between Judo United and the International Judo Federation (IJF).

The Baku Experience will bring both athletes to Baku, Azerbaijan later this fall for the 2026 IJF World Judo Championships. The package includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, training opportunities, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to one of the world’s premier judo events, including warm-up areas, official draw sessions, commentator platforms, and more.

The experience is designed to inspire and educate the next generation of athletes by exposing them to the highest levels of international judo competition and culture.

Ortiz captured gold in the IJF Junior Women’s Under 48kg division with a perfect 3-0 record. Her aggressive attacks, composure, and technical precision throughout the day made her a clear choice for the Most Outstanding Female Athlete honor.

Guerrero delivered one of the most dominant performances of the tournament, winning gold medals in both the IJF Junior and Senior divisions. Across the weekend, he compiled an impressive 8-0 record while showcasing explosive throws, relentless pace, and exceptional competitive spirit.

Chuck Jefferson, CEO of Judo United, praised both athletes for their performances and the example they set for the next generation of American judoka.

“Rose and Thor put on an incredible display of judo at the Golden State Open. What stood out most was not only the results, but the way they competed — with confidence, skill, composure, and fighting spirit. They represented the future of American judo at a very high level. We are extremely excited to provide both athletes with this opportunity through the Baku Experience. I truly believe this trip will be life changing for them. To experience the World Championships firsthand, train internationally, and see the global judo community at the highest level is something very special. We hope this inspires them to dream even bigger moving forward.”

Jefferson also expressed gratitude to both the International Judo Federation and the Azerbaijan Judo Federation for their support in helping create the opportunity.

“We would like to sincerely thank the IJF and the Azerbaijan Judo Federation for believing in what we are building in California and for supporting these young athletes. Their willingness to invest in experiences like this shows a real commitment to the future growth of judo worldwide.”

Representing the International Judo Federation at the Golden State Open was Bela Muller , who attended the event to support the California judo community and continue building momentum behind the recently announced partnership between the IJF and Judo United.  The collaboration aims to create more international opportunities, athlete development programs, and world-class experiences for American judoka as the sport builds toward LA28 and beyond.   As part of that vision, both Rose Ortiz and Thor Guerrero will travel to Azerbaijan later this year to take part in the Baku Experience alongside a select group of young athletes and families from the United States.

Families and athletes can learn more about the Baku Experience at  Judo United