A few minutes after the all-Canadian duel in the under 100 kg final, where Shady ElNahas got the better of his teammate Kyle Reyes and thus captured the gold, Marc Deschênes seized the opportunity to win decisively, in the more than 100 kg, in less than a minute! Canada won three medals on Wednesday at the 2022 Commonwealth Games judo tournament in Birmingham.
Posted at 2:30 p.m.
Updated at 4:18 p.m.
Smiling brightly, the heavyweight judoka came out of the tatami obviously happy with his day’s work. “It was my first competition since my knee injury, I was really happy to win! expressed Marc Deschênes.
It was the sum of two successful waza-ari, both times immobilizing his opponent Kody Andrews of New Zealand, which gave Deschênes the ippon only 58 seconds after the start of the fight. “It wasn’t my initial strategy, but the opportunity presented itself. I grabbed it! »
PHOTO JOE GIDDENS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shady Elnahas
After his victories, the judoka made an alligator sign, a gesture that echoed on social media. “It’s my signature technique on the ground, the “gator”! I surround my opponent with my legs and spin,” the 29-year-old enthusiastically explained.
Two Canadians in the final in the under 100 kg category
Shady ElNahas and Kyle Reyes got off to a perfect start to the tournament, which saw them battle it out for gold in the Under 100kg category. The tactical duel of the two left-handers was finally won by ElNahas.
“It’s a disadvantage to fight against someone who knows us so well, it’s not possible to surprise him”, explained the gold medalist.
“I managed a few good hand positions, but I should have attacked faster, before he got rid of it,” explained Kyle Reyes.
Facing without a trainer, the two Canadians could not benefit from the precious recommendations of Antoine Valois-Fortier during the fight. “My brother Mohab (ElNahas) was in the stands. He knows my judo well and he was there for me. His advice allowed me to adapt! “, revealed Shady ElNahas.
Earlier, in the bronze final in the under 78 kg category, Coralie Godbout lost to Scotland’s Rachel Tytler and took fifth place.