Seven Canadian Judokas to Compete in Paris
Montréal, June 27, 2024 – Judo Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have introduced the names of the athletes who will compete in judo on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games.
On account of the qualification course of, which passed off between June 2022 and June 2024, a complete of seven judokas will characterize Canada within the French capital.
5 of the Canadian judokas might be among the many high seeds of their respective classes, together with Christa Deguchi (-52 kg) and Shady ElNahas (-100 kg), each of whom gained silver medals finally month’s World Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“Christa is extremely favoured to win the Olympic title in her weight class. She secured her spot on the staff following a two-year marketing campaign, through which she gained a gold and a silver medal on the World Championships, whereas additionally topping the world rankings. She deserves a number of credit score for coming again so sturdy within the qualification course of, with top-level performances,” mentioned Nicolas Gill, chief govt officer and excessive efficiency director of Judo Canada.
“Like his teammate, Shady additionally carried out very efficiently to safe his spot on the Olympics,” added Gill. “Over the previous couple of years, he’s actually outdone himself, and he lastly stepped onto the World Championships podium final month. He’s been within the high eight on the planet for fairly some time now, and on the age of 26, he’s in peak form. He’s acquired every thing going for him!”
Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard as soon as once more has her sights set on the rostrum within the under-63 kg weight class. “For my part, she’s gotten into her greatest form ever simply in time for the Olympics,” mentioned Gill of the veteran judoka, who’s presently ranked second on the planet in her class. “She completed fifth at the newest World Championships, the place, for the primary time in her profession, she defeated reigning Olympic champion and multi-time world champion Clarisse Agbegnenou of France. That win was an enormous confidence booster, coming proper earlier than the Olympics. Catherine adopted the plan we got here up with after her bronze medal in Tokyo to the letter, and she or he’s in an awesome place heading into the Video games!”
François Gauthier-Drapeau, who holds fifth place on the planet rankings and who completed fifth on the 2023 World Championships, might be one to observe within the under-81 kg class, the place the battle for the Olympic title in Paris guarantees to be a decent one.
“François completed fifth on the 2023 World Championships in a class with a extremely aggressive high fifteen on the world degree. He’s had some nice outcomes over the previous yr, and he can actually maintain his personal towards the world’s high judokas, and probably even end on the rostrum,” mentioned Gill.
The Canadian delegation might be rounded out by rookies Kelly Deguchi (-52 kg), Ana Laura Portuondo (+78 kg), and Arthur Margelidon (-73 kg), who might be competing in his second Olympic Video games. Margelidon completed fifth in Tokyo.
“We’re on observe to fulfill the targets we set for ourselves in the beginning of this Olympic cycle. The truth that we’ve 5 athletes who’ve competed for medals on the World Championships or the Olympic Video games prior to now demonstrates the excessive degree of excellence of our group. It’s an awesome achievement,” concluded Gill, only a few weeks earlier than the beginning of the Paris 2024 Video games.
Along with the person competitions, that are slated to be held from July 27 to August 2 on the Champ-de-Mars Area, Canada will even participate within the staff occasion that may conclude the judo competitions on August 3.
The Canadian delegation to Paris might be headed by London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Antoine Valois-Fortier, who might be trying to lead his squad to the rostrum within the Metropolis of Mild.
“We’ve got an awesome staff, and several other of our athletes are well-positioned to compete for a spot on the rostrum. The previous two years have proven us that our athletes have what it takes to get there, and we’re very excited for the massive day to reach. Everyone seems to be feeling good. They’re all in good well being, and their coaching goes effectively,” mentioned the nationwide head coach, who’s feeling optimistic concerning the staff occasion.
“The person energy of every of our athletes will make us one of many groups to look out for, that’s for positive! We’ve got nice staff spirit, and all of the judokas will give their greatest of their quest to win a medal.”
Athletes and coaches, Canadian Olympic judo staff:
- Antoine Valois-Fortier (Montréal, QC) – Nationwide Head Coach
- Janusz Pawlowski (Montréal, QC) – Nationwide Assistant Coach
- Nicolas Gill (Montréal, QC) – CEO and Excessive Efficiency Director
- Tiffany Searching (Montréal, QC) – Physiotherapist
Earlier than being confirmed as members of Group Canada, all nominated athletes are topic to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Group Choice Committee, as soon as all nominations have been obtained from the nationwide sport organizations.
Click on right here for Group Canada’s up-to-date roster for the Paris Video games.
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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
