New Brunswick got plenty of medals on Thursday, as our athletes reached the podium five times, including four times in judo. With those results, NB (13) has passed Manitoba (12) in the medal count at the time of this writing. That was the goal announced by Team NB ahead of the Games.
Acadian Mahée Savoie of Moncton won the silver medal on Thursday after losing (10-0) by waza-ari in the gold medal fight against Quebecer Catherine Toshkov, in the category of -57 kg, the day after the conquest of -44 kg by his little sister Marisol.
“I was in a good chicken, explains Mahée Savoie, a few hours after his fight. I knew I was going to face the Quebecer (Toshkov) or the Albertan (Aliya Koliaska, bronze) in the final.
“I didn’t get the result I was hoping for in the final, but looking back I’m very happy with my day. I did great judo,” concludes the new member of the national judo team.
This is Mahée Savoie’s second medal at the Canada Games. She won her first medal, bronze this time, at the 2019 Games, when she was only 13 years old, like her sister is today.
“I feel pretty lucky to have two Canada Games medals. There are not many people who can say the same thing.
And she could win a third before the end of her Games. With six judo podiums over the past two days, New Brunswick is well positioned for the team competition on Saturday.
Félix Cyr, of Edmundston, also wowed the gallery with his victory (10-0) against Ethan Deeg, of British Columbia, in the match for the bronze medal in the -73 kg category.
Meanwhile, New Brunswick picked up three more medals on Thursday. Still in judo, in the -63 kg category, Dakota Sanzana of Lincoln won the bronze medal, winning her final (10-0) against Brook Franson of Saskatchewan. In the +70 kg category, Brandi Lingley of Quispamsis won the silver medal, after losing (10-0) against Quebecer Frédérique Lavigne.
In epee (fencing), for boys, Graham Goodwin of Fredericton climbed to the second step of the podium by losing in the final against Ivan Lu (15-4) of British Columbia.
The Canada Games continue until Sunday.
