Forty seconds elapsed in combat before the official confirmed Priscilla Gagné’s victory good for a bronze medal on Tuesday at the Para Judo Grand Prix presented in Almada, Portugal.
Gagné quickly took control of the clash against Italy’s Asia Giordano in the -57 kg J1 category. She threw her opponent to the ground with ease, then forced her to give up with a shime waza.
Her journey, which ends on the third step of the podium, did not start as the vice-world champion would have liked.
The 36-year-old judoka started her tournament against Dondu Yesilyurt, the same one who had defeated her in the final of the most recent World Championships. Despite her best efforts, the Canadian was unable to take her revenge against the Turkish, who managed a waza-ari with just over 2 minutes to go. She then protected her lead until the last moments despite the many attacks attempted by Gagne.
“The J1 under 57 kg category was the only one where all the world medalists competed and they all ended up on the podium,” said national team coach Andrzej Sadej.
The Quebecer then defeated Spaniard Maria Manzanero Ruiz in the repechage. She got on the scoreboard with a waza-ari and withstood her opponent’s counterattack that followed. With just over a minute left in the fight, Gagne was defending herself on the ground when she grabbed Manzanero Ruiz’s arm. Her technique got the better of her opponent and gave her the victory.
Also in action in the under 57 kg J1 in Portugal, Christina Mowatt also faced Italian Asia Giordano on Tuesday. The latter sent the Canadian to the ground to score and continued her maneuver on the ground to win by ippon.
Once in the repechage, Mowatt took on Ina Cernei of Moldova. Both judokas received a penalty for non-combativeness during the first minute. Cernei took the lead 15 seconds later and scored an ippon afterwards to continue his way up the class draw.
“After her surprising fifth place at the World Championships, Christina is no longer taken lightly. Her opponents know how to fight her without risking a powerful counter-attack, where Christina excels,” mentioned Andrzej Sadej.
On Monday, Justin Karn started the Almada Grand Prix in the -60kg J2 category with a win over American Ronald Hawthorn. He lost his next two bouts to eventual bronze medalists in the category, Spaniard Luis Gavilan and South Korean Min Jae Lee.