Montréal, July 30, 2024 – The Champ-de-Mars Enviornment was buzzing on Tuesday because the judo occasions obtained underway on the Paris Olympic Video games. Nevertheless, issues didn’t end up as hoped for Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (-63 kg) and François Gauthier-Drapeau (-81 kg). Each judokas had been eradicated within the repechage.
In her closing, bodily demanding bout, Beauchemin-Pinard, who received silver on the Tokyo Olympics, misplaced to Laura Fazliu of Kosovo by waza-ari in extra time.
Picture : Kevin Gentle/COC MANDATORY CREDIT
Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard
“There have been two or three sequences wherein both she gained the benefit or I acquired a penalty. Within the closing sequence, she had a very good grip, so I had to decide on between receiving a penalty or attacking. I made a decision to assault, however my assault wasn’t very well-prepared, and she or he was capable of counter,” mentioned the Montrealer, who’s collaborating in her third Olympic Video games.
“It was a bout I might have received, however typically it’s a must to make split-second choices, and that is the way it turned out.”
Nonetheless, Beauchemin-Pinard had a very good run, regardless of not changing into the primary Canadian judoka to win two Olympic medals in her sport.
After receiving a first-round bye, she ousted Szofi Ozbas of Hungary by ippon. Within the quarter-final, she bowed out to Slovenia’s Andjrea Leski, who’s ranked seventh on the planet. The Québécoise acquired two penalties earlier than being defeated by waza-ari in extra time.
“It’s laborious to clarify. I’d have preferred to go dwelling with a medal, and I had massive targets for as we speak. I used to be well-prepared and I felt prepared,” mentioned the Canadian.
The same story for François Gauthier-Drapeau
François Gauthier-Drapeau (-81 kg) was additionally eradicated by waza-ari within the repechage by Belgium’s Matthias Casse, who’s ranked first on the planet.
(c) Kulumbegashvili Tamara – IJF
François Gauthier-Drapeau
“It’s actually irritating. I do know him. It was the third time I fought him. I believe this was my greatest combat in opposition to him, however sadly, it resulted in his favour. After we had been on the bottom on the finish, I don’t know if I obtained a bit lazy, however he managed to pin my arm,” mentioned the Québécois. “I let him do it as a result of I didn’t suppose it will put me in danger, and I wished to preserve my power. However after a few seconds, I noticed I used to be in bother, and by then it was too late.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Gauthier-Drapeau loved back-to-back victories over Joao Fernando of Portugal and Adrian Gandia of Puerto Rico. Within the quarter-final, he skilled his first lack of the day in opposition to Italy’s Angelo Esposito, who’s ranked thirteenth.
Regardless of having been eradicated, the judoka from Alma, who received bronze medals on the final two Paris Grand Slams, declared that he would treasure his reminiscences of the day.
“It was a lot enjoyable to compete as we speak. Listening to my entire household cheer me on gave me power. After I was on the bottom throughout my bout and I heard them, it helped me get again up. It actually made a distinction. It is going to be a terrific reminiscence.”
Though Staff Canada coach Antoine Valois-Fortier is disillusioned in the way in which issues turned out for his two athletes, he’s however happy with their performances. “The day began out very well. Each of them had been in good condition, and it was clear they had been right here to win. After they each superior to the quarter-finals, I used to be positive we’d see at the least one in every of them on the rostrum, so I’m a bit disillusioned about that, however I’m extraordinarily happy with them,” he mentioned.
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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
