On the Canadian Open Championships on Friday, the U18 and veteran athletes have been within the highlight at Montréal’s Centre Pierre-Charbonneau. Final 12 months, Quebec’s Melody Grenier (-52 kg) accomplished a sweep on the similar occasion, profitable gold medals in each the U16 and U18 age classes. On Friday, she picked up the place she left off final 12 months, as soon as once more claiming the highest spot on the rostrum within the U18 class.
Photograph Judo Canada
Melody Grenier and Lowan Le Bris
Within the large ultimate, she was pitted in opposition to Alberta’s Isla Diesmos, an opponent she has confronted a number of occasions up to now. Her goal was to keep up her composure, in order that she might rigorously observe the sport plan she and her coach had drawn up collectively.
“Though I’ve overwhelmed her up to now, I knew I needed to take her severely. I do know she works laborious and that she’s excellent. Nonetheless, I used to be feeling very optimistic going into the ultimate. I knew I had carried out every part attainable to be well-prepared for that combat,” defined the gold medallist.
Earlier at this time, Grenier ousted Emereese Kurpjuweite of Alberta, Kenzie Woods of Saskatchewan, and Jaymi Hinchey of the Yukon in back-to-back bouts to assert her ticket to the ultimate.
Having had a profitable day, Grenier is now specializing in the senior competitors that may happen on Sunday, the place she hopes to as soon as once more earn a spot on the rostrum.
“It felt nice to have the ability to defend my title. It’s proof that each one my laborious work has been value it. This medal represents all the trouble I put into coaching, and into my bouts.”
“The senior competitors will certainly be more durable. My essential aim will probably be merely to combat nicely, however after all, I’d like to win one other medal. I’d be pleased with any medal,” concluded Grenier.
Final 12 months, British Columbia’s Lowan Le Bris was topped under-60 kg champion within the U16 division, along with profitable a bronze medal within the U18 age group.
This 12 months, Le Bris has moved into the under-66 kg weight class. In at this time’s large ultimate, he dispatched of Ontario’s Shon Tansky with a decisive victory to assert the U18 title he so coveted.
“I had a well-formulated technique for the ultimate, and it labored out nicely. I wished to maintain transferring all through the bout, whereas additionally sustaining a sure distance from my opponent. I moved round lots, and I waited for the correct second to launch assaults that have been laborious to counter. I usually combat Tansky within the finals, and so they’re all the time good matches,” stated Le Bris.
Though he’s happy with at this time’s victory, Le Bris nonetheless has work to do, as he will probably be taking part within the senior competitors on Sunday. His goal? To win one other gold medal this weekend.
“I’m very pleased with at this time’s win, however I nonetheless need extra. I need to take all of it the best way and win the senior competitors, too. I would like all of it!”
Because of at this time’s wins, Grenier, Le Bris, and all the opposite U18 gold medallists may have the chance to compete on the Cadet World Championships in Lima, Peru, on the finish of August. And whereas each Grenier and Le Bris are excited to have the possibility to showcase their abilities on the worldwide stage, in addition they have very particular objectives.
“I’ve a whole lot of longer-term objectives, and the cadet worlds in Lima are certainly one of them, after all. I actually need to win there. I’ve my sights set on the highest of the rostrum once more,” stated Le Bris.
“I used to be there final 12 months, and I noticed that the competitors stage could be very excessive. This 12 months, I don’t need to put an excessive amount of stress on myself. After all, I’d like to go so far as attainable, however to be trustworthy, I’d be very pleased with myself if I received even only one match,” concluded Grenier.
The Canadian Open Championships will proceed on Saturday in Montréal, with the U16 and U21 competitions.
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