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Priscilla Gagné wrapped up the Parajudo Grand Prix in Alexandria, Egypt with a bronze medal on Tuesday. The medal win marked sweet revenge for Gagné, who won by defeating American Maria Liana Mutia, against whom she had lost in the Pan American Championships final last December.
“It was great payback,” noted Canadian Coach Andrzej Sadej. “The American judoka came very close to making the final before getting caught in overtime. Priscilla was nervous going into the bout, and really wanted to get the better of the American – and she was able to do just that today!”
“I was happy to win! Leaving with a bronze medal is always better than leaving without a medal at all, even if I came here to win gold. So, I can’t say that the mission was completely accomplished, but I’m still happy with the result. I did everything I could and I have no regrets,” added the Québec native, post-competition.
Gagné started her competition in the quarter finals against China’s Yitin Shi, a country that had been previously absent from parajudo competitions for a long time, but which arrived well prepared in Alexandria. Surprised to see the Chinese athlete, both Coach Sadej and Gagné quickly realized that Shi was going to be one to watch.
The Chinese judoka scored a waza-ari after 17 seconds against Gagné, who afterwards attempted numerous attacks, but was unable to get on the scoreboard. Shi won by ippon with just over two minutes remaining, and then headed for the gold medal round.
“Shi was fast and dynamic; she’s got a lot of potential, and next time we’ll come back with a game plan,” shared Gagné, who adds this bronze to the bronze she earned at the Almada Grand Prix in January.
In the repechage, Gagné was on the tatami with Italy’s Asia Giordano and got her to the mat early on in the fight.
“It’s a team effort when I get a medal, and includes support from coaches, teammates, and staff. I couldn’t do it without them all, and I’m very grateful,” concluded Gagné, reigning world vice-champion.
Also in action in the category was British Columbia’s Christina Mowatt who lost her only bout against Germany’s Vanessa Wagner.
On Monday, Justin Karn of Ontario fought in the Under 60kg J2 class. He lost in the first round to eventual gold medalist Kemran Nurillaev of Uzbekistan. Karn was defeated by Spain’s Luis Gavilan in the repechage, to whom he also lost two months ago in Portugal.
Team Canada will now enjoy a few months of training to prepare for the IBSA Games in the UK this August.
