Montréal, Could 25, 2024 – There was loads of motion on Saturday, the third day of the Open Nationwide Championships, as fourteen U21 judokas had been awarded gold medals, as had been seventeen athletes within the U16 class.
Images: Judo Canada
Yehor Paladii and Rebeca Manaila
Yehor Paladii (-90 kg) and Rebeca Manaila (-63 kg), who each compete within the U21 age class, had been notably spectacular on the tatamis, ending the day with gold medals round their necks.
Paladii, final yr’s U18 champion, achieved the identical feat within the U21 class in the present day, defeating Alberta’s Carter Althouse by ippon within the large closing.
“I’m actually pleased with my day! Final yr, I received on the cadet degree, and for my first yr on the junior degree, I needed nothing lower than gold, and I succeeded,” mentioned the Ontarian, who remained undefeated in all 4 of his bouts on the Centre Pierre-Charbonneau.
In accordance with Paladii, his coaching over the previous few months was the important thing to profitable all his matches and clinching his new title.
“I’ve been working exhausting for this all season, particularly on analyzing my opponents and adapting to every state of affairs,” he mentioned. “It paid off in the present day. I knew what to do with every opponent, and my plans labored.”
In distinction, Rebeca Manaila needed to take care of a shorter-than-usual preparation interval. Having been absent from competitors for a number of months, she needed to shake off her nerves early within the day, earlier than discovering her groove and attaining her aim of stepping onto the highest of the rostrum.
“I’m actually glad, as a result of the start of the day was exhausting for me, with all of the stress,” admitted the Québécoise. “After having to drop some weight these previous few days, I wasn’t at my greatest, however I managed to rally in time for my first two bouts, and keep away from shedding.”
Her third match, in opposition to Alberta’s Maralgoo Batbayar within the semi-finals, was her greatest problem of the day. She needed to dig deep to win by ippon, earlier than ending her day on a excessive notice, with a victory over Manitoba’s Sarah Ekosky within the large closing.
“After I received the semi-final, I knew I used to be going to go all the best way,” mentioned Manaila, as she left the rostrum. “We all know one another effectively, which added to my stress, as a result of I knew it might be troublesome. Nonetheless, I used to be capable of get a very good maintain on her higher physique, and that made the distinction. That’s one of many benefits I’ve in being tall, and I used it.”
Contemporary off their wins, Paladii and Manaila will now start to sit up for a lot of main competitions within the coming months, together with the Junior World Championships in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in October.
However first, they may each compete within the senior match of their respective weight divisions on Sunday, with a watch to returning to the rostrum.
Dedication leads Minier and Temirbaev to gold
Like their compatriots Manaila and Paladii, Annabel Minier and Amir Temirbaev additionally had large smiles on their faces following Saturday’s competitions, which ended on the high of the rostrum for each U16 athletes.
Annabel Minier and Amir Temirbaev
Within the under-44 kg class, Minier received all 4 of her bouts in the present day by ippon, to say her first-ever nationwide title. “I’m actually proud! In 2023, I received a bronze medal, so I labored actually exhausting to enhance and win the gold medal this time,” mentioned the Québécoise, following her final-round win over her countrymate Malak Snani.
“My experiences over the previous yr actually motivated me, whereas additionally making ready me to win this title,” she defined. “I honed a number of strategies in preparation for this match, and I had a sport plan for every opponent. I used to be prepared, and my plan labored from begin to end.”
Undefeated in 5 fights within the under-55 kg class, Temirbaev proved he too was well-prepared for the match, no matter what got here his manner.
“Issues didn’t go precisely as I anticipated, however I managed!” mentioned the British Columbian, after receiving his hard-won gold medal.
Within the large closing, he squared off in opposition to Quebec’s Ashkan Khanhan Zamora, a left-handed judoka who made him work additional exhausting all through the match, which ended by ippon in extra time.
“I all the time have a more durable time in opposition to left-handed [athletes], and my fundamental sport plan wasn’t working,” defined Temirbaev.
Nonetheless, efficient communication together with his coaches and, above all, tenacity, enabled him to achieve the higher hand and obtain his aim of profitable the title in his class.
“I listened to the recommendation I used to be getting on the tatamis, and I stored pushing tougher. By working actually exhausting, I managed to win, and that’s an incredible feeling,” he concluded.
On Sunday, the ultimate day of the Open Nationwide Championships guarantees extra spectacular judo, because the senior judokas take to the mats.
Watch the reside webcast to catch all of the motion!
For the competitors outcomes, click on right here.
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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
