Montréal, August 2, 2024 – Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi, the ultimate Canadian to compete in a person judo occasion on the Paris Olympic Video games, was defeated in her first-round match within the over-78 kg class on the Champ-de-Mars Area on Friday.
“To be sincere, I actually didn’t suppose this was how issues would end up,” defined the judoka, who got here out of retirement within the fall of 2023 after taking a six-year break from the game because of the results of concussions.
Photograph : Candice Ward/COC
Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi
On Friday, the 28-year-old athlete was up in opposition to Izayana Marenco of Nicaragua within the first spherical. Though Portuondo Isasi had defeated her on the Pan-American and Oceania Senior Championships final April, this time it was the Nicaraguan who gained the higher hand, scoring an ippon simply over two minutes into regulation time.
“She took benefit of a chance after I made a poor assault. That’s what I discover most disappointing. I’m aggravated with myself for that. I’m glad to be on the Olympics as a result of it’s a serious accomplishment, nevertheless it’s not sufficient. It would by no means be sufficient. I got here right here to win a medal, and nothing much less. The way in which I misplaced my first battle . . . I can’t be happy with that,” she added.
Her opponent, Marenco, misplaced her subsequent match by ippon to Beatriz Souza of Brazil.
Regardless of her early elimination from the Olympic event, Portuondo Isasi stays happy with her journey to the Video games.
“I’m very proud. This was my childhood dream. I’ve been dreaming of this since I used to be ten years previous. I noticed Nicolas Gill compete, and though I didn’t know what an Olympian was, I may see the way in which individuals admired him. I bear in mind telling my dad I wished to be like [Gill], and I’ve spent my complete life working towards that.”
Canada’s judokas will return to the Parisian tatamis one closing time on Saturday, for the blended workforce occasion.
“Though I’m upset about at the moment, I’m wanting ahead to tomorrow. It’s not over but. Tomorrow is one other day. I’m assured in our Canadian workforce as a result of it’s robust and close-knit. One of the best factor about my judo expertise is my colleagues. I really imagine we will accomplish one thing extraordinary, and I’m going to offer it my all.”
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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada
For extra data:
Patrick Esparbès
Chief Working Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org
