Montréal, September 28, 2024 – Isabelle Harris (-63 kg) completed her day on the rostrum on Saturday on the European Open in Prague, Czech Republic. The British Columbian secured a bronze medal when she scored an ippon in opposition to Italy’s Antonietta Palumbo in a marathon match that went greater than six minutes into additional time.
Picture: EJU
Isabelle Harris, on the best.
Her teammate Yanis Hachemi (-73 kg, Québec) very practically attained the identical end in his bronze medal bout, however ended up bowing out to Niels Thijssen of the Netherlands in his sixth and last battle of a really lengthy day. He misplaced by ippon in additional time.
“Each of these bronze medal finals had been very tight, however Isabelle’s was the tightest of the 2,” mentioned Canadian coach Antoine Bouchard.
In the course of the last, Harris and Palumbo obtained two penalties every, and a 3rd on both facet would have put an finish to the match.
“Each of them had good alternatives to throw the opposite. Isabelle managed to counter one among [her opponent]’s assaults, and he or she scored a serious ippon. There was quite a bit at stake in that battle,” added the coach.
Harris started her day by ousting a Dutch opponent, however was subsequently defeated by Britain’s Josie Steele, who later joined her on the third step of the rostrum. Within the repechage, Harris edged out Germany’s Charlotte Von Leupoldt earlier than dealing with the Italian.
Following immediately’s outcome, Bouchard believes Harris ought to really feel optimistic concerning the future.
“She’s had some nice outcomes over the previous yr, notably on the Pan-American Video games. And it’s essential to notice that she needed to sit out with an harm for nearly two months this previous summer time, and he or she solely beginning coaching once more barely a month in the past. The truth that she’s capable of carry out at this degree at this level is a good signal, and I imagine she’ll proceed to construct upon it. She’s confirmed that she’s able to take the subsequent step.”
Yanis Hachemi’s lengthy day
Within the under-73 kg division, Yanis Hachemi undertook an extended journey to fifth place within the Czech capital. He started with three consecutive wins earlier than bowing out to Serhii Nebotov of Ukraine, however his victory within the repechage over Naim Matt of Switzerland allowed him to advance to one of many bronze medal finals.
“He fought effectively, and he had a number of alternatives to attain, however he had bother adapting to his opponent’s preventing type. [. . .] Fifth place is at all times laborious to take since you don’t win a medal, however this was for sure the very best worldwide efficiency of [Yanis’s] profession,” affirmed his coach, including that preventing six bouts in a day was a singular expertise for the Québécois.
“In worldwide tournaments, you don’t usually compete in six matches. Preventing all of them back-to-back was a big expertise for him, and one I imagine will serve him effectively.”
Within the under-78 kg weight class, Coralie Godbout additionally superior to the repechage, the place she was defeated by Germany’s Julie Hoelterhoff. The Québécoise completed the day in seventh place.
The opposite Canadians in motion on Saturday had been Tyler Collin (-60 kg, New Brunswick), Julien Frascadore (-66 kg, Quebec), and Justin Lemire (-73 kg, Quebec), who had been all eradicated of their first bouts and due to this fact didn’t rank.
The match will conclude on Sunday. David Popovici, Keagan Younger, Guillaume Gaulin, and Mohab ElNahas will signify Canada on the tatamis.
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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada
For extra info:
Patrick Esparbès
Chief Working Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org
