Canadian judokas François Gauthier-Drapeau and Jessica Klimkait secured gold medals on Saturday at the Grand Prix in Zagreb, Croatia.
Both athletes finished atop the podium in their respective weight classes after completing perfect runs through the tournament brackets.
For François Gauthier-Drapeau, the victory marks the first Grand Prix title of his career. Competing in the under-81 kg category, he defeated Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Yuldoshev in a final where both fighters were assessed two shidos. The win adds to a strong 2025 campaign for Gauthier-Drapeau, who previously claimed top honors at Grand Slam events in Abu Dhabi and Paris.
Canadian team coach Antoine Valois-Fortier praised the veteran’s performance throughout the day. “François was very convincing throughout the day and he showed great tenacity,” Valois-Fortier said. “He not only won, but he did it in a beautiful way. His experience spoke for a lot today. It was a very beautiful day for him and his victory is fully deserved.”
Jessica Klimkait captured gold in the under-63 kg division, defeating Slovenia’s Kaja Kajzer Zabkar in the final. The performance marks a return to form for Klimkait, who spent the summer recovering from elbow surgery. According to the team’s coaching staff, the victory confirms her status among the world’s elite despite recent health challenges.
“An operation often comes with a lot of doubts and she managed to prove to everyone today that she was back among the best in the world,” Valois-Fortier said. “Jessica demonstrated all her beautiful qualities and she went to fetch a higher level. I know there is still room for improvement for her, it’s encouraging.”
Olivier Gagnon also reached the podium for Canada in the under-81 kg category, securing a bronze medal. After winning the repechage, Gagnon defeated Maddaloni Nosa to secure his first-ever Grand Prix podium finish. Valois-Fortier highlighted the consistency in Gagnon’s development, noting that his daily training efforts have begun to yield measurable results on the international stage.
The Canadian team is now preparing for the upcoming Masters tournament, where Gauthier-Drapeau will look to maintain his momentum. The event remains the next confirmed checkpoint for the squad as they continue their circuit schedule.
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