Canada had a dream day Tuesday at the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar.
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Away from the podium since the start of the championship on Sunday, Canada stood out with two medals and a fifth place.
“This is the first time that Canada has won two medals on the same day at the world championships,” said Canadian team head coach Antoine Valois-Fortier. Our expectations were high. »
The feat of the day belongs to Christa Deguchi who won world gold in the -57 kg category for the second time in her career.
Based in Japan where she trains, Deguchi has been wearing the colors of Canada since October 2017.
Because her father has Canadian nationality and she felt that her chances of taking part in the Games were superior under the Canadian flag, she made the transfer. His mother being Japanese.
“There is a good communication job between me and the Japanese coach, explained Valois-Fortier. We talk once a week. Christa finds herself in a beautiful environment with good training partners. »
Spectacular
In his world debut for Canada in 2018, Deguchi won bronze.
It was the first Canadian medal in history for women at the worlds.
For Deguchi, this is a second world title after that of 2019. This one is all the more meritorious.
“Christa has come a long way,” said the London 2012 Games bronze medalist. “She missed out on qualifying for the Tokyo Games, but she didn’t give up and showed a lot of character. »
After losing in the third round last year, Deguchi left no doubt of her intentions by winning all of her fights.
“She was spectacular from start to finish,” summed up Valois-Fortier. She threw her opponent twice in the final and finished the job with an ippon. »
Bronze medal
Bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021, Ontarian Jessica Klimkait, who trains at the National Center in Montreal, also did very well in the -57 kg category, finishing on the third step of the podium.
“It’s a very good result,” said Valois-Fortier. Jessica is one of the most consistent athletes. She has not said her last word for the rest. »
Next means the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Each country can send only one judoka per weight category, regardless of their international ranking. Judo Canada has changed its selection rules and dropped the play-offs.
The international ranking will determine whether Deguchi or Klimkait will represent Canada in the under 57 kg category in the City of Light.
If Klimkait hadn’t lost in the quarter-finals, the two Canadians would have met in the semi-finals. Klimkait went through the repechage to reach the medal round.
In the end, French-born Arthur Margelidon lost in the fight for bronze in the under 73 kg category to finish in fifth place, an identical result in Tokyo. Margelidon finished in seventh place last year.
“Arthur will be a bit disappointed not to be on the podium, but it’s a good result. The worlds are big and I would say Arthur had his best day in several months. »
Beauchemin-Pinard in action
Vice-world champion, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard will be in action on Wednesday in the under 63 kg category.
The Tokyo Games bronze medalist is aiming for nothing less than the top step of the podium.
In the less than 81 kg, François Gauthier-Drapeau will also enter the scene. “Given her silver medal last year and her start to the season, it’s realistic to believe that she can win gold,” said Valois-Fortier. I believe that François also has a chance of a medal. »
2023-05-09 23:52:07
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