Montréal, February 9, 2025 – Regardless of being hampered by a foot harm from the very outset of the competitors, Keagan Younger remained undeterred on the European Open in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Sunday. He competed in 5 bouts within the under-81 kg class, ending his day on the third step of the rostrum.
Photograph : EJU Gabi Juan
In his bronze medal match towards Switzerland’s Thien Oulevey, Younger rapidly took management. Following his sport plan to the letter, the 23-year-old Ontarian scored an ippon after a minute and 20 seconds of fight to win the sixth medal of his profession in a Continental Open.
“Keagan managed his opponent very effectively. He had an concept of what to anticipate as a result of considered one of his teammates had fought Oulevey earlier within the day, so we have been capable of provide you with an applicable sport plan. Keagan is a really explosive athlete, and he didn’t waste his alternative to take management of the match,” defined Canadian coach Antoine Bouchard.
Younger started his day with back-to-back victories over Matteo Frontaurea of Italy, Ofir Arie of Israel, and Johan Silot of the usA. Nevertheless, he was defeated within the semi-final by Pawel Drzymal of Poland, who later received the class’s gold medal.
“Keagan had a superb day, and he made loads of nice throws. He damage his foot on the very starting of the competitors, and we’re not but certain of the precise nature of the harm, however despite the fact that he was in ache, he received a number of matches at the moment, so kudos to him,” added Bouchard.
Three different Canadian athletes have been in motion in the identical weight class. Olivier Gagnon received his first two bouts earlier than bowing out to Oulevey within the third spherical.
David Popovici obtained a first-round bye when his opponent, Aljaz Plantak of Slovenia, failed to point out up. He then misplaced to Vladimir Stark of Germany.
In his first competitors within the under-81 kg weight class, Arthur Margelidon was defeated by Vladyslav Kolobov of Ukraine.
Within the under-90 kg bracket, Guillaume Gaulin received his first two bouts of the day earlier than shedding to Daniel Nieto Trinidad of Spain within the quarter-final. The Québécois was additionally defeated within the repechage by Noah Christiaens of Belgium.
On the ladies’s aspect, Marie-Lune Turmel and Heidi Quach met related fates within the under-48 kg division.
Turmel received her first two bouts towards Marta Beorlegui of Spain and Sofia Petitto of Italy, whereas Quach ousted Anna Iovino of Italy and Zuleima Del Carmen Falcon Sanchez of Spain in back-to-back matches, to safe her spot within the semi-finals.
In that spherical, Quach was up towards Marine Gilly of France, whereas Turmel took on Marine’s sister Coralie. The 2 Québécoises misplaced their respective matches. They due to this fact turned their consideration to their bronze medal bouts, the place they once more met with an identical outcomes, each shedding to complete in fifth place.
“They notched up two positive victories at first of the day, earlier than shedding to the Gilly sisters. So there was some frustration there. Each of their bronze medal bouts have been very tight. Marie-Lune misplaced in additional time, and Heidi’s opponent scored a yuko on the very finish to clinch the win,” mentioned Bouchard.
Evelyn Beaton (-52 kg) completed in seventh place. She received her first match towards Pauline Cuq of France, however misplaced to Janka Juttner of Hungary within the quarter-final. Within the repechage, she bowed out to Luciana Catana of Romania.
Kelly Deguchi (-57 kg) misplaced her first and solely bout in Ljubljana to Binta Ndiaye of Switzerland.
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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
