Second and last day Canadian Elite Judo Championships, Sunday, in Edmonton, where it was the turn of the athletes over 18 to be on the mats. Among the dozens of participants present at the Saville Community Sports Center in Edmonton, some young medalists saw in their performance a springboard to the highest spheres of world judo.
This is the case of Alberta’s Charlize Medilo, gold medalist in the under 48 kg category.
“I expected to win the gold, yes. I trained hard and I had beaten the other girls before, which made me feel confident,” shared the Lethbridge Kyodokan Club member, who thus gets her hands on a first title at the Championships. National Elites.
The one who was ranked seventh at the last Cadet World Championships has her eyes already fixed on participation in the Olympic Games and World Championships in the years to come. His victory on Sunday will allow him to obtain a more generous athlete’s card from the federal government.
“It will allow me to participate in bigger international tournaments! “, she concluded, delighted.
Raphael Gaanan (British Columbia), fully savored his title in the under 60 kg category. The one who trains at the Pika Judo Club in Burnaby learned from his past setbacks to end his day with gold around his neck.
“It’s a bit of a crazy experience, because in the 2020 tournament I was the favorite, except I lost in the first round. This year I was still ranked first before the competition, but this time I got through, so that’s a really big accomplishment for sure! »
According to him, it was the aspect of his mental toughness that made the difference on Sunday.
“I have often been a finalist in other tournaments on the Canadian circuit and often finished second. Today (Sunday), I finally broke this mental barrier and I said to myself that I could have this gold medal”, specified the one who signed the most beautiful sporting success of his career until now and who now wishes to represent Canada at the World Junior Championships.
In the provincial standings, Quebec finishes first with a total of 30 (9 gold, 8 silver and 13 bronze). Ontario follows 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.]
In parallel to this competition, it should be noted that the IBSA Pan American Championships were also held, reserved for blind and visually impaired athletes. Of the four Canadians entered, three were medalists.
Priscilla Gagné, Paralympic runner-up in the under 52 kg category finished second in the under 57 kg J1 category. Her compatriot Christina Mowatt placed fifth.
In the J2 men’s category under 60 kg, Justin Karn climbed to the second step of the podium.
Eventually, veteran Tony Walby took the J1 bronze under 90 kg.