(Montreal) The first Canadian to step on the tatami mats at the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar, Albertan Kelly Deguchi (-52 kg) saw her journey come to an end in the second round in particular conditions on Monday.
Deguchi and her opponent, China’s Ben Liu, both received a third yellow card after more than 8 minutes of extra time, which led to their automatic elimination. Consequently, the Uzbek Diyoria Keldiyorova is in a way the winner of this duel, because she took advantage of a bye in the next round, which is rather unusual.
“We can say that it is exceptional and in the bad sense of the term. I saw that once in my entire judo career,” explained Canadian coach and ex-athlete Antoine Valois-Fortier, disappointed with the turn of events.
“It was a very tight and very long fight where the two athletes attacked on both sides. I’m not sure what the referees saw and I can’t understand this decision at this time. They penalized both athletes at the same time, so it’s a double disqualification. I have no more explanations than that, ”continued the one who was still in shock and at a loss for words, even two hours after the end of the confrontation.
Valois-Fortier added that Deguchi and the Chinese clan also shared this same misunderstanding of the officials’ decision.
Deguchi and Liu had faced each other in the second round of the 2022 worlds and it was the Chinese who won by ippon. This year, things were different for the Canadian.
“Kelly did much better today (Monday). The athletes were intense and the fight was well split between the two. Before the last penalty, both made good attacks. […] It was Kelly who had the best chances to win and she came very close on two occasions. This is why the result is even more distressing in the circumstances. »
In the first round, Deguchi got the better of South Africa’s Charné Griesel by immobilization.
Despite this fishtail end, the coach notes that the 24-year-old athlete has made good progress over the past few months. His victory at the European Open in Sofia, acquired in Bulgaria last February, has a lot to do with it, according to him.
“The World Championships are a benchmark to see if the athletes are progressing and Kelly is heading in the right direction. She is able to go for key victories and she understands international judo better and better. »
On Tuesday, Christa Deguchi and Jessica Klimkait will be in the -57kg draw, while Arthur Margelidon will be in action at -73kg
Recall that Klimkait was a bronze medalist at the World Championships last year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.