June 16, 2017 – Friday, Jacob Valois stepped onto his first-ever competition tatami at Mexico’s Cancun Grand Prix. Sadly, it was a short day for the young judoka from Boucherville, who was halted after a single bout in the U66 kg class.

Peru’s Juan Postigos – currently ranked 55th internationally – put an end to 18 year-old Valois’s day. “Yes, this is Jacob’s first Grand Prix and unfortunately he was out in first round. He’s still a junior and needs a lot more senior experience. He was out-gripped by the Peruvian judoka but fought hard until the last second. Jacob’s main focus this year is the Junior World Championships,” explained National Team Coach Sasha Mehmedovic.

The U66 gold went to Israel’s Tal Flicker after a bout with eventual silver medallist and Spanish judoka Alberto Gaitero Martin; Peru’s Postigos and Mexico’s Nabor Castillo both earned bronze medals.

Saturday, two more Canadians will step onto Mexico’s tatamis: Kelita Zupancic (U70 kg) and Étienne Briand (U81 kg) are the ones to watch.