The Canadian team collected a gold, a silver and a bronze medal on Friday, the first day of the senior competitions of the Pan American and Oceania Championships presented in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Arthur Margelidon took the top step of the podium in the under 73 kg, Christa Deguchi took silver in the under 57 kg, while her sister Kelly Deguchi finished third in the under 52 kg.
Published yesterday at 10:24 p.m.
In a repeat of last year’s Continental Championships final, Margelidon was pitted against Brazilian Daniel Cargnin, whom he defeated for the first time in his career in six fights. This is the second continental title for the 30-year-old athlete after the one won in 2016 in Havana.
“It was a good fight from Arthur who knew how to find his rhythm and make the right adjustments to get the victory. Beating a guy who has defeated you several times, it’s a great step for him and it’s always pleasant,” explained coach Antoine Valois-Fortier about the performance of the Montrealer who fought this final with the head wrapped due to a cut to the scalp in the semi-final.
Margelidon almost saw the final victory slip away from him at the very end of 4 minutes of regulation when he was thrown to the ground. Officials viewed the video replay and ruled the point was not scored, forcing overtime. The eventual gold medalist began to get the better of Cargnin after the first minute. The Brazilian already had two penalties against him and Margelidon knew how to exploit this flaw perfectly.
“Arthur had the right physical preparation and the right approach between the two ears to keep his rhythm. It’s very encouraging a few months before the Olympic Games to see that physically, he is in the right place. It’s very positive! […] He is a patient and experienced guy who is capable of stringing together demanding fights,” continued the trainer.
Before his fourth and final fight, Margelidon got the better of the Dominican Antonio Tornal, in the semi-final, by ippon in a clash whose outcome was also decided in overtime.
Trench warfare
Like the final of the less than 73 kg, that of the less than 57 kg category brought together the same athletes as that of 2023: the Alberta Christa Deguchi and the Brazilian Rafaela Silva. Last year, Deguchi only needed around thirty seconds to defeat Silva. This year, the duel had the appearance of a marathon with more than 5 minutes of overtime where the local favorite emerged victorious after the referee awarded a third penalty to Deguchi.
The attacks were shared by both sides in this final confrontation. Deguchi did not slow down, but the Brazilian, Olympic gold medalist at the same place in 2016, still managed to contain her.
“It’s a little bit disappointing. I think Christa was coming for a gold medal, but unfortunately, it came close. I won’t hide that we are in Rio, against an athlete from Rio, so Rio smiles at her. To beat her, you had to project her and be convincing. The fight remained close for a very long time and at the very end, it went to the Brazilian’s side,” analyzed Valois-Fortier.
Kelly Deguchi (-52 kg) gave Canada a bronze medal thanks to her victory by ippon against the Mexican Paulina Martinez after having immobilized her on the ground. Her only defeat of the day in four fights came in the semi-final at the expense of American and eventual silver medalist Angelica Delgado.
“It was a nice surprise and Kelly had some great fights. She knew how to exploit her greatest strength, her work on the ground, and she was having a good day. »
In other Canadian results of the day, Julien Frascadore (-66 kg), from Quebec, obtained a seventh place as he ended his day with a record of 1 victory and 2 defeats.
Bronze medalist in the junior tournament played at the start of the week, Quebecer Heidi Quach (-48 kg) did not obtain a ranking with her 1-1 record.
The British-Columbian Isabelle Harris saw her career in the under 63 kg table after her first fight just like the Quebecer Justin Lemire in the under 73 kg
Competitions will resume on Saturday in Brazil. François Gauthier-Drapeau (-81 kg) and Louis Krieber Gagnon (-90 kg) will be ones to watch, as will Shady ElNahas and Kyle Reyes in the under 100 kg category. Marc Deschênes and John Jr. Messe A Bessong will be in the table of over 100 kg
Laurence Biron (-70 kg), Coralie Godbout (-78 kg), as well as Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi (+78 kg), will fight among the women.
2024-04-27 03:28:44
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