Montreal, March 6, 2016 (Sportcom) – Catherine Roberge came close to a bronze medal at the Judo PanAmerican Open in the Peruvian capital of Lima, which wrapped up this Sunday. The Quebec athlete was defeated by Russian Alena Kachorovskaya in the fight for one of the Under 78 kg bronze medals.

Earlier in the day, the Beauport judoka had beaten Diana Brenes, from Costa Rica, and then lost to Spain’s Marta Tort Merino, who had her in an armlock. Merino would go on to win the other bronze medal.

In repechage, Roberge came up on top over Guatemalan Mirla Nolberto Labriel with an ippon, which earned her a pass to one more fight.

“Catherine was expecting a better outcome,” said Canadian coach Sasha Mehmedovic. “In the fight for the bronze, she took some questionable penalties that cost her the victory. There’s not much more I can say, because I’m pretty confused. Let’s just say that the refereeing was not exactly high-level.”

“That being said, Catherine must remain focused for next week’s tournament in Argentina, and leave behind what happened today (Sunday),” continued the coach, who is optimistic about Roberge’s chances of qualifying for the Olympics. This would be her second Olympic experience, after competing in Athens in 2004.

It bears reminding that on Saturday, Montrealer Arthur Margelidon was crowned champion in the men’s Under 73 kg class.

Team Canada will now head on to Buenos Aires in order to compete in another tournament in the PanAmerican Open circuit next weekend.

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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada