Montréal, October 6, 2025 – Just as they did this Sunday, Team Canada faced stiff competition in their draw on Day 2 of the Judo Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru. Today, Monday, it was Fahd Fithane (-73 kg) and Artem Neyolov (-81 kg) who were able to secure victories amongst the many matches that Team Canada participated in.

Photo: IJF, (c) Tamara Kulumbegashvili
Loika Robertson (in white).

Québec’s Fithane first defeated Ecuador’s José Gonzalez by ippon, and then had to take on a tougher challenge in his next bout: Japan’s Keito Kihara. Notably, the latter athlete was the top seed in the draw and, more critically, last year’s Junior World Champion.

“He (Fithane) fought a very honest bout. He did have some chances to throw Kihara here and there, but unfortunately for us, his opponent was last year’s world champion – and there’s a reason why Kihara won that title,” analyzed Canadian team Coach Antoine Bouchard.

“Fahd did score in the first sequence of the match, so there are a lot of things to take away from this bout, both good things as well as things to build on. Next year, Fahd will be in his third year as a junior, and we’re going to work hard, so that he can be in the running for a medal at that time.”

“Most of our athletes have honestly faced difficult draws at these Championships – including three who are expected to fight the top seed before the round of 16. Unfortunately, that’s what can happen at the Junior World Championships. Added to that, there are also some athletes who are able to compete in senior competitions as well.”

In the Under 81 kg division, Ontario’s Artem Neyolov (-81 kg) first won by ippon against Cuba’s Alexander Cesar. However, Neyolov’s luck soon ran out, and his run ended with a loss to Moldova’s Andrei Peaticovschi.

“Artem did a great job in his first bout on the tatami, and he won by submission,” said Bouchard. “The problem is that in the second match, he got caught in a chokehold. He very nearly managed to escape, but his opponent brought him back to the ground. At that point, Peaticovschi was able to complete their maneuver, and it was over.”

Also in action on the tatami this Monday were Québec judokas Loika Robertson (-63 kg), Catherine Toshkov (-63 kg), and Arthur Karpukov (-81 kg); all three posted 0-1 results.

Tuesday, Emily Harris (-78 kg), Alisa Kofman (+78 kg), Yehor Paladii (-100 kg) and John Messe A Bessong (+100 kg) will test their skills against the world’s best junior judokas on the last day of individual competitions. Coach Bouchard may try, but he can’t hide hopes that his athletes will be on the winning side of their matches tomorrow.

“On paper, John has the best chances of putting in a great performance. He’s in his third year as a junior, so theoretically, he’s at the height of abilities in this particular category. He also has a substantial amount of experience at World Championships, as well as at European Cups. We believe he’s very capable of going after and getting a medal Tuesday.”

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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada

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Patrick Esparbès
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