After Julien Frascadore’s (-66 kg) silver medal won the day before at the Pan American Games in Santiago, three other Canadians climbed onto the podium in their respective categories on Sunday. Isabelle Harris did the best, finishing in second place in the under 63 kg category.
Harris suffered her only defeat of the day in the grand final where she fell to the Cuban Maylin Del Toro Carvajal, 20e in the world ranking of the category, thus finishing on the second step of the podium.
“I would have really liked to have gone all the way to get the gold medal, but I am satisfied with the progress I have made. The day wasn’t the easiest. This medal means a lot to me, it’s my first Major Games, it’s a very special moment and I’m proud of it,” noted Harris.
At the start of the day, the British Columbian defeated Mexican Prisca Awiti Alcaraz in the quarter-final before overcoming Brazilian Ketleyn Quadros to secure her ticket to the final. Both of Harris’ victories came by ippon.
“I took advantage of a bye in the first round before facing the Mexican who had already beaten me in the past. I followed my game plan to the letter and was able to throw it twice to win. The Brazilian is also an excellent athlete, I was confident and I managed to get a second victory,” added Harris.
Quebecer Antoine Bouchard was in action in the under 73 kg category. His working day got off to a bad start with an early defeat against the Brazilian Daniel Cargnin. Fortunately for Bouchard, he quickly had the opportunity to recover in the draft.
PHOTO EDUARDO VERDUGO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Antoine Bouchard (in white) and Antonio Tornal (in blue)
The 29-year-old athlete did not miss this chance. He scored a victory against the Chilean Juan Pablo Vega to secure his ticket to a duel for a bronze medal. Bouchard then continued his momentum and won this last duel, in overtime, against the Dominican Antonio Tornal.
This medal is quite special for someone who will retire from sports in the coming months.
“This is my last major competition, apart from a competition in Montreal. It was one of my last goals, to get a medal here [aux Jeux panaméricains], fortunately, I was able to accomplish it after a fight that was very close. I am really happy ! » mentioned Bouchard.
As for him, David Popovici, the last Canadian in action on Sunday, also climbed onto the third step of the podium. The athlete from Dorval won his first fight in the under 81 kg category against the American Kell Berliner. He then lost in the quarter-final against Brazilian Guilherme Schmidt, third in the world rankings in the category and future gold medalist at the Pan American Games.
PHOTO EDUARDO VERDUGO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
David Popovici (in white) and Maikel Mc Kenzie (in blue)
Popovici did not give up and he recovered in a good way in the repechage. He defeated Argentina’s Tomas Morales, en route to a bronze medal fight.
The 21-year-old judoka ended his day in style by winning at the end of a long fight which ended in overtime against the Cuban Maikel Mc Kenzie London.
” I am really happy ! I am very happy to participate in the Pan American Games and even more happy to have won a medal. Fatigue set in during the last fight, I pushed until the last minute to win. I expected a long fight, I was nervous because I really wanted a medal,” said Popovici.
“Honestly, I am very proud of our athletes today [dimanche]. My expectations have clearly been exceeded so far. Each athlete showed up with the desire to win and that’s really what made the difference,” said coach Sasha Mehmedovic.
Monday, during the last day of individual competitions at the Pan American Games, Coralie Godbout (-78 kg), Shady ElNahas (-100 kg) and Marc Deschênes (+100 kg) will be the three representatives of the maple leaf in action.