French Judo Blogs

Judo Canada is seeking four (4) Directors at large and one (1) Athlete Representative for its board of directors (2024-2028) FORMS Read more

Montreal, April 26, 2024 – The Canadian contingent collected gold, silver and bronze medals on Friday to kick off the senior competitions of the Pan-American and Oceania Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Arthur Margelidon topped the podium in the under-73 kg class, Christa Deguchi grabbed silver in the under-57 kg category, while her sister Kelly Deguchi finished third in the under-52 kg weight class. Photo: Confederacion Panamericana de Judo Arthur Margelidon, second from left.... Read more

Montréal, April 24, 2024 – Canadian junior judokas united forces on Wednesday in the Mixed Team event of the Panamerican Cadet and Junior Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Driven by collective efforts, the Canadians reached the final, where they came up against local athletes – and the defending champions of the competition. Photo: IJF / Di Feliciantonio Emanuele John Jr. Messe A Bessong Today’s story began when the Canadian team lost its first match against the Brazilian tea... Read more

Montréal, April 23, 2024 – John Jr Messé A Bessong did not spend much time on the tatamis on Tuesday at the Junior Pan-American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Québécois made short work of his three bouts of the day in his quest to secure the title of champion in the over-100 kg weight category. Photo Judo Canada John Jr Messé A Bessong His final match, against Jose Miguel Brache Jarquin of the Dominican Republic, was his longest of the day at 76 seconds. Messé A Besson... Read more

Montréal, April 22, 2024 – An impressive total of 13 Canadian athletes found themselves battling it out for medals on Monday at the Cadet Pan-American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ultimately, seven Canadians climbed onto the podium, led by Lowan Le Bris, gold medallist in the under-66 kg weight class. Photo Judo Canada Lowan Le Bris In the big final, Le Bris needed extra time to vanquish Reiver Alvarenga Soto of Argentina. The British-Colombian finally secured the win 46... Read more

Montréal, April 5, 2024 – On Friday in Cuba, the Canadian judo team concluded its two days of competition at the Pan-American Open in Varadero with a total of five medals: two gold and three bronze. Photo: Facebook, Confederacion Panamericana de Judo Isabelle Harris Isabelle Harris (-63 kg) and Coralie Godbout (-78 kg) spearheaded the squad, claiming the two gold medals, while Laurence Gagnon (-57 kg), Tylor Collin (-60 kg), and Olivier Gagnon (-73 kg) secured the third spot on thei... Read more

Montréal, March 31, 2024 – Ontario’s Shady ElNahas earned a third medal for Canada on the final day of the Antalya Grand Slam in Turkey. On Sunday, ElNahas was awarded silver in the under-100 kg category after forfeiting the final to Jorge Fonseca of Portugal. Photo: IJF, Tamara Kulumbegashvili Shady ElNahas The Canadian would have much preferred to fight for glory against the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist and 2019 and 2021 world champion, but an injury in the semi-final put his ex... Read more

Montreal, March 30th, 2024 (Judo Canada) – François Gauthier-Drapeau won Canada’s second medal at the Antalya Grand Slam in Turkey. The Quebecer was awarded silver in the under-81 kg category on Saturday, 24 hours after Christa Deguchi’s triumph in the under-57 kg competition. Photo: International Judo Federation Gauthier-Drapeau squared off against defending Olympic champion Takanori Nagase of Japan in the final, the first of his Grand Slam career. A worthy opponent his coach Antoi... Read more

Montreal, March 29th, 2024 – After capturing bronze a week ago at the Tbilisi Grand Slam in Georgia, Christa Deguchi made her return to the podium on Friday, this time with a gold medal around her neck in the under-57 kg category at the Antalya Grand Slam in Turkey. Photo IJF Jessica Lima, Christa Deguchi, Maysa Pardayeva and Faiza Mokdar In the final clash of the day, Deguchi faced off against Brazil’s Jessica Lima. The duel went into overtime, with both finalists having received t... Read more

Montréal, March 28, 2024 (Judo Canada) – Black belt or no black belt, Ruth Lam will not be held back from furthering the development of judo in Canada, just as she’s done for more than twenty years. In 2022, Lam became the first woman without a black belt in judo to sit on Judo Canada’s board of directors. She was quick to acknowledge the honour, and was keen to use her position to help develop the sport on a national level. The skills she possesses outside the tatamis enabled her to beco... Read more