The 36-year-old will serve a term of four years and replaces Mexico's Manuel Larrañaga, who has stepped down.

Zegarra automatically becomes a vice-president of the International Judo Federation following his election and was voted in during a PJC Zoom call.

He received the vote of all 31 federations represented at the meeting.

"Following in the footsteps of our friend and companion for life, Mr Manuel Larrañaga, is a very special moment for me, for my family and for my friends," said Zegarra.

"We are going to work together in this new Executive Committee. 

"It is a great challenge because we are in a very complicated health situation, but having dared to hold events and having dared to continue in our duties only speaks about the pure love that we all have for our sport. 

"I not only offer promises, I also have convictions and we will work as a team."

Zegarra competed at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics in the men's over-100 kilograms heavyweight division, where he lost in the last 16.

He won bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro and moved into sports governance following his retirement.

Roles include President of the Peruvian Judo Federation from 2013 until last year and head of the National Anti-Doping Commission of Peru.

Zegarra's leadership team includes Canada's Mike Tamura as general secretary and José Porfirio of Puerto Rico as general treasurer.

Argentina's Ovidio Garnero is referring director, Venezuela's Katiuska Santaella is education director and Amadeus Dias de Moura Jr of Brazil is sports director.

Rafael Manso of Cuba will serve as development director and American Jose H Rodriguez is administrative director.