Second and final day of the Canadian Elite Judo Championships, Sunday, in Edmonton, where the 18+ athletes were on the mats. Among the dozens of participants in attendance at the Saville Community Sports Center in Edmonton, some young medalists saw their performance as a stepping stone to the highest spheres of world judo.
Such is the case of Charlize Medilo from Alberta, gold medalist in the under 48 kg category.
“I expected to win the gold, yes. I trained hard and beat the other girls before, which gave me confidence,” shared the Lethbridge Kyodokan Club member, who thereby clinched a first title at the Championships National Elites.
The seventh of the last Cadet World Championships already has the participation in the Olympic and World Championships in the coming years firmly in mind. His victory on Sunday allows him a more generous federal sports ID card.
“It will allow me to compete in bigger international tournaments! ‘ she finished happily.
Raphael Gaanan (British Columbia) enjoyed his title in the under 60kg category to the fullest. The one who trains at Pika Judo Club in Burnaby has learned from his past setbacks to end his day with gold around his neck.
“It’s a crazy experience because in the 2020 tournament I was the favourite, except I lost in the first round. This year I was still first before the competition but this time I made it, so that’s for sure a really great achievement! »
In his opinion, it was the mental toughness aspect that made the difference on Sunday.
“I’ve often been a finalist in other tournaments at the Canadian circuit and often finished second. Today (Sunday) I finally broke that mental barrier and told myself that I could have that gold medal”, specified the one who signed the most beautiful sporting success of his career so far and who now wants to represent Canada in the World Junior Championships.
In the provincial rankings, Quebec ranks first with a total of 30 (9 gold, 8 silver and 13 bronze) with Ontario in second place with 9 [2 or, 2 argent et 5 bronze] and Alberta is third with 5 [2 or, 1 argent et 2 bronze.]
Parallel to this competition, the Pan American IBSA Championships were also held, reserved for blind and partially sighted athletes. Of the four Canadians who entered, three were medalists.
Priscilla Gagné, Paralympic runner-up in the under 52 kg category, was second in the under 57 kg J1 category. Her compatriot Christina Mowatt was fifth.
In the J2 men’s under 60kg category, Justin Karn climbed to the second step of the podium.
Finally, veteran Tony Walby took the J1 under 90kg bronze.
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