Discovering Judo in all its Forms
27 April 2023
John Jr Messe A Bessong: fifth place andtop Canuck
8 May 2023
Ontario’s Lasha Tsatsalashvili had a strong showing at the Paris Junior European Cup on Saturday, ending the day with a silver medal to wear home in the Under 73 kg category. Tsatsalashvili suffered only one loss of the day in the grand final when he faced Japan’s Sota Goto, who won by ippon.
After receiving a bye in the first round of Group C, Tsatsalashvili – who placed seventh at the 2022 World Cadet Championships – defeated France’s Ange Ordanh Horina Moucketo, Poland’s Mateusz Grendys and Brazil’s Mateus Kioshi Chunha in back-to-back bouts. He then secured a medal for himself after defeating Loris Lecardonnel (France) in the semi-finals.
In women’s judo action, Québec’s Laurence Biron also had a busy day in the Under 70 kg category where she took seventh place. Winning by ippon against Camille Meyer (France) in her opening bout, Biron then lost in overtime and by penalties to Keika Omori (Japan) in the quarterfinals.
However, Biron was able to recover in the repechage, once again facing off against a French judoka – Mathilde Chabal – whom she defeated by ippon. The 19-year-old then suffered the same fate herself against France’s Marie Desangle, the of whom eventually finished fifth.
Other Canadians in action on the tatami this Saturday who did not earn rankings were: Daniil Kremerman (-60 kg), Frederic De Cardaillac (-66 kg) Brandi Lingley (+78 kg) and Janessa Keays (+78 kg).
The last day of the tournament will take place on Sunday, with the following Canadians taking to the tatami to try their luck in Paris: Marie-Lune Turmel (-48 kg), Evelyn Beaton (-52 kg), Yehor Paladii (-81 kg), Alec Garand (-90 kg) and John Jr Messe A Bessong (+100 kg).
