Montréal, December 5, 2024 – For Louis Krieber-Gagnon, the time has come to retire from his athletic career. The Québécois, who has been a member of the senior national team since 2016, has decided to move on from high-level sport, which he will do with his head held high and plenty of ambition for the future.

“I’m very at peace with my decision. I accomplished a lot of great things in judo, and although I didn’t achieve all my goals, I can’t change the past. At this point, I want to focus on the present and move on with my new life,” revealed Krieber-Gagnon, who had been aiming for last summer’s Paris Olympic Games, until an injury he sustained at the Pan-American Championships put an end to his hopes of representing Canada in the French capital, leading him to spend a great deal of time reflecting on his future as an athlete.

“After my injury, I tried to come back for the World Championships, but it didn’t work out. So I took a break all summer, which allowed me to spend more time with my family and get to know myself again,” he explained.

“The decision came naturally. After much reflection, I realized I was no longer willing to make all the sacrifices required to be a high-level athlete for the next four years. I wanted to focus on my personal life.”

As a result, he has not been on the tatamis for the past few months, and he is devoting himself to completing his bachelor’s degree in finance, while holding down a full-time job in marketing.

“It’s very different, but I find it motivating. I like what I do, and I know that my studies will open many doors for me in the future. I have lots of plans, I’m close to my family, and I’m happy,” said Krieber-Gagnon, who hopes to one day hold a management position in finance or information technology.

From pastime to international competition

When six-year-old Louis began practicing judo, little did he know he would one day compete at the highest levels of the sport. And yet, he has accumulated over twenty medals over the years, as well as countless memories.

“It was a bit of a fluke,” he said. “My parents wanted me to take up a sport, so I tried several, including swimming and gymnastics, but I didn’t really like them. So I ended up at the Shidokan judo club near my house, and I never looked back!”

What began as a recreational pastime quickly became a passion for the now 28-year-old athlete. After making his mark on Canadian soil, he broke through the international ranks at the cadet level, then made his name internationally by winning the cadet under-81 kg world title in Miami in 2013.

“I was young, and at the time, I didn’t really realize what I had done. But now, looking back, it’s one of my fondest memories!”

“It was a perfect day on his part,” said Nicolas Gill, his former coach at the time and actual chief executive officer of Judo Canada. “It was Judo Canada’s very first Cadet World Championship title, and in a very competitive category! This victory marked the beginning of a very impressive career, and he can be proud of what he has accomplished.”

In the years that followed, Krieber-Gagnon took part in three junior world championships and four senior world championships, as well as another forty international competitions, including eighteen Grand Slams, where he finished fifth in Antalya in 2022 and seventh in Tokyo in 2017.

“Looking back, I realize that I had a lot of excellent support, from a very young age,” recalled the Montrealer. “Even when I was very young, I had the opportunity to train with several members of the senior national team, which helped me a lot. There was some luck involved [in my career], but above all, it took a lot of discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance.”

One of his fondest memories is the day he won the silver medal at the 2023 Pan-American Championships in Calgary.

“The year before, I had been injured, so I was happy to come back strong and win that medal at home in Canada, in front of our fans,” he said. “Even though each one of my medals has its own significance, that one is particularly special to me. But every time I stood on the podium, it marked a new milestone in my sports career, and they’re all great memories.”

It is important to note, however, that Louis Krieber-Gagnon is exiting his judo career with more than just medals and athletic achievements. He is also retiring with a well-stocked toolkit and relationships that will endure well beyond his sports career.

“Judo gave me a lot, and those things will definitely serve me well. On the tatamis, I learned about discipline, the importance of physical fitness, how to accept feedback, and resilience. The same goes for all the people I met along the way, with whom I’ll remain friends forever. What I’ll remember most are the wins, the learning experiences, and the team spirit,” he concluded.

Louis will certainly be missed, as he was one of the unifying forces within the Canadian team, according to his former teammate and now national head coach, Antoine Valois-Fortier.

“Louis is probably the most-liked athlete I’ve ever known! To know him is to become friends with him, because in addition to being a great athlete, he’s one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He celebrates everybody’s wins, and he’s always happy for others. He’s the kind of person you want on your team, and wherever he goes, the people around him will benefit from that.”

Krieber-Gagnon intends to continue practicing judo in the years to come, and even plans to train with his national teammates from time to time, just for fun. One thing is certain: Whenever he goes—be it on the tatamis, in his personal life, or in his professional environment—he will be able to proudly and enthusiastically share his memories of the years he spent in high-level sport.