Wintrust Sports Complex to Host 2025 USA Judo Jr. Olympic National and International Championships
[Bedford Park, IL] Oct. 10, 2024– Wintrust Sports Complex is proud to announce that it has been selected to host the 2025 USA Judo Junior Olympic National and International Championships, set to take place from June 20-22, 2025. This premier event will bring together the nation’s top young judo athletes, ages 5 to 20, to compete in a series of intense matches as they strive for national titles and showcase their skills on the path to future Olympic competitions.
Approximately 1,000 athletes will compete across multiple age divisions, drawing an estimated 2,500 spectators over the course of the event. Competitors will vie for top honors in the state-of-the-art Wintrust Sports Complex, located conveniently near Chicago Midway Airport.
“We are thrilled to welcome the USA Judo Junior Olympic Championships to Bedford Park and provide a world-class venue for these outstanding young athletes,” said Jennifer Quinlan, Assistant General Manager of Wintrust Sports Complex. “This is the first time the event will be held in the Chicagoland area, and we look forward to providing an exceptional experience for both competitors and spectators alike.”
USA Judo CEO Keith Bryant expressed his excitement about the new partnership: “USA Judo is excited to bring the 2025 Junior Olympics to the Chicagoland area for the first time in the event’s history. The Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park is adjacent to Midway Airport and offers numerous nearby amenities and a variety of hotel choices. The nation’s top young judo talent will be on display in Bedford Park next summer as the next generation of Olympians set their sights on the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 and beyond.”
Previously held in Pittsburgh, PA, the Junior Olympic National and International Championships are recognized as a key stepping stone for the development of future Olympians. The event offers athletes a unique opportunity to gain experience at the national level while earning rankings and potential qualification for future international competitions.
“The momentum of Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park and its partners continues growing,” said Visit Chicago Southland President/CEO Mary Patchin. “National sports championships to Bedford Park and the Chicago Southland region impact so many of the businesses, visitors, and residents. This Olympiad will be no different.”
Wintrust Sports Complex is proud to partner with USA Judo and provide a premier venue that will enhance the competition experience for athletes and spectators alike. Known for hosting large-scale national and international sporting events, the complex features eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a full-service restaurant and bar, an arcade, and a laser tag arena. With its ample amenities and convenient location, the facility is poised to offer participants and their families an unforgettable event experience.
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About Wintrust Sports Complex
Wintrust Sports Complex, located in Bedford Park, Illinois, is the Midwest’s premiere destination for sports, events, and recreation. Only minutes from Chicago Midway Airport, major interstates, and top-rated hotels, athletes and their families consider this the most convenient destination for sports tournaments. Wintrust Sports Complex is part of the SFNetwork, operated by The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), the nation’s largest and fastest-growing network of sports venues in the country.
About USA Judo
A 501-c-3 non-profit organization based in Colorado Springs, USA Judo is the National Governing Body for the sport of judo in the United States. USA Judo serves more than 12,000 members annually, including athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters. A proud member organization of the International Judo Federation, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and the International Blind Sports Association, USA Judo’s mission is to enable all U.S. athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in domestic and international judo competition and the promotion and growth of the sport of judo in the United States.
CONTACT:
Adam Taylor, Director of Marketing and Business Development
Wintrust Sports Complex
adamtaylor@sportsfacilities.com
