Montréal, October 6, 2024 – Regardless of not feeling nice after struggling a bout of meals poisoning earlier within the week, Mohab ElNahas was in a position to end off his day, Sunday, on the second step of the rostrum on the Senior European Cup in Portimão, Portugal.
Photograph European Judo
Mohab ElNahas (on the left)
The Ontarian reached the ultimate within the Beneath-90kg class, the place he was pitted in opposition to France’s Joris Guillot-Rosselot. After his opponent had already amassed two penalties, EINahas had management of the bout, however made a tactical error that enabled the Frenchman to show the tide of their favour, and win the match.
“He wasn’t the most important, however he was actually robust. I nonetheless have a little bit of problem in opposition to guys like that, as I’m a bit mild at 90kg. I feel I used to be main the match, however I made a mistake that price me quite a bit. I bought shut, and he bought below my legs after which rolled me over,” defined ElNahas.
“All the identical, I’m very pleased with my medal, and it feels good to be on the rostrum. I’d have preferred to have gained the gold medal in fact, however I’m glad total. I needed to do my greatest, so I’m not disenchanted in any respect proper now,” he added.
Earlier within the day, the Canadian had crushed Portugal’s Pedro Cavaco, then Nice Britain’s Samuel Petgrave. Each victories fuelled his confidence for the remainder of the competitors.
“I had a very good begin to the day and I felt actually good. The Portuguese judoka was taller than me and regarded stronger, whereas the British athlete was fairly bodily. All the identical, I knew I had what it takes to go far within the match,” remarked ElNahas.
To safe his ticket to the ultimate, ElNahas defeated Argentina’s Mariano Coto Bersier within the semi-finals, in what he described as his “hardest bout of the day.”
“The Argentinian judoka was very, very robust, so it was actually robust. I wasn’t in a position to get an ippon and I gained with a waza-ari, countering him on the finish of the combat. He’s gained some vital Grand Prix fights lately, so I’m glad to have crushed him this time immediately.”
In the present day marks Mohab ElNahas’ first European Cup podium since his victory in Gaia, Portugal, in August 2023. He’ll be again in motion subsequent weekend on the European Cup in Malaga, Spain.
Additionally stepping onto the tatami for Canada in Portimão was Daniel McCristall (-66 kg), who ended up with a report of 1 win and two losses.
Fahd Fitane and Guillaume Gaulin each take residence bronze medals
Canadian judokas have been in motion on the opposite aspect of the Atlantic as properly, participating within the Panamerican Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Of Group Canada’s representatives, Fahd Fitane (-73 kg) and Guillaume Gaulin (-90 kg) each made their method to the rostrum.
Fitane was the primary to earn his bronze medal. The Quebecer first defeated Dominican Moises Ozuna earlier than transferring on to defeating Panamanian Ronal Gonzalez. The 2 successes paved the best way for Fitane’s place within the semi-finals.
Nonetheless, Anthony Matos of the Dominican Republic put an finish to Fitane’s gold medal hopes. Regardless of this, the 18-year-old Canadian didn’t quit and got here again robust in a bronze-medal duel to beat American judoka Romin Bakhtiyor.
Guillaume Gaulin was defeated in his bout firstly, by Dominican Medickson Del Orbe Cortorreal. But, Gaulin bounced again in sensible style within the repechage, the place he first beat Jose De Los Santos, one other of the gang’s favourites.
The Canadian judoka completed off the day in model, scoring two fast waza-aris in his bronze medal bout in opposition to Puerto Rican Derik Rodriguez – sufficient to safe his place on the rostrum.
Within the Beneath-60kg class, Tylor Collins additionally reached one of many bronze medal bouts, the place he sadly misplaced to Dominican Dany Manuel Castro.
Earlier, Collins had defeated Kendry Abad Mateo of the Dominican Republic and American James Foster to achieve the semi-finals, the place he then misplaced to eventual silver medallist Johan Gomez of Colombia.
Within the Beneath 66kg class, Luke Thomson took seventh place, with a report of 1 win and two losses. Teammate Alexis Kearney gained his first bout, earlier than being eradicated within the subsequent spherical.
Adrian Shimabukuro gave it their all, however was unable to discover a method to victory in Santo Domingo.
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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
