Montréal, August 28, 2013 (Sportcom) — Stéfanie Tremblay was the only Canadian to win a match, Wednesday, at the Judo World Championships being presented in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Competing in the under 57 kg class, the Quebecer won her first bout versus the Spaniard Jaione Equisoain before succumbing to defeat against the Romanian Loredana Ohai.

Also in the under 57 kg division, Joliane Melançon was unable to get past the first round, falling at the hands of the Slovenian Vlora Bedeti in her first bout.

In the men’s under 73 kg category, Étienne Briand and Alexis Morin-Martel both saw their day come to an end on their first trip to the tatami. Briand was taken out by the North Korean Kuk Hyon Hong, while Morin-Martin was shown the door by the Cuban Magdiel Estrada.

“I had a decent start to the contest and I was putting a lot of pressure on him. However, he (Estrada) was tenacious on defence and was able to regain control of the fight a bit, Morin-Martel

explained. From there we both were assessed three penalties each. Finally, with 10 seconds left, the referee gave me a penalty for non-activity. I had just attempted a maneuver, so I’m really not sure why I was penalized. But what can you do, it’s part of the sport I guess. it’s just very disappointing for me because the match was within my grasp.”

Taking part in his first senior World Championships, Alexis Morin-Martel is convinced that his participation here in Rio will be an important stepping stone in his career.

“The level of competition was very high, but I felt it was fairly similar to a Grand Slam event. Even though I was nervous, I didn’t let the pressure get to me. I deserved to be here and I’m only going to get better,” the young athlete concluded.

Thursday, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (-63 kg) and Antoine Valois-Fortier (-81 kg) will be the two Canadians in action.

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