Montréal, July 12, 2026 – Para-judoka Priscilla Gagné claimed another international podium this weekend, at the IBSA Judo Grand Prix Sao Paulo in Brazil. The Québec athlete earned a bronze medal in the Under 52 kg J1 category, which was won by local favorite, Brazil’s Rosicleide De Andrade.

Gagné secured her medal by defeating Omnia Dawoud (Egypt) by ippon in her final match of the day. Earlier in the repechage, the Canadian team veteran had done the same to Indonesia’s Novia Larassati.

“Priscilla had a great competition. She lost to the Egyptian athlete in the past, but this tournament gave her a chance to settle the score,” commented Canadian Para-judo Team Coach Franck Moussima, in reference to Gagné, who was also a Paralympic silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Gagné began her day with a victory via ippon over Argentina’s Rocio Silvana Ledesma Dure. In the next round, the tables turned, and the visually impaired judoka lost by ippon to De Andrade, the world No. 1 and eventual tournament winner.

Also competing at the IBSA Grand Prix in Brazil was Québec’s Eitel Houedakor (-81 kg J1), who sadly lost his only bout against Japan’s Yuji Kato.

Houedakor was back on the tatami Sunday in São Paulo for the Pan American and Oceania Championships. He finished in fifth place, after a loss to Hartley Damiao Perreira Arruda (Brazil), who went on to win the silver medal.

“It was a match he could have won, but that he lost because of two mistakes, and was penalized both times,” noted Team Canada’s coach about his protégé, who had won a bronze medal at last year’s continental tournament.

In an abundance of caution, Gagné chose to sit this competition.

“I think there have been some good technical improvements, but there are still things to work on, especially for Eitel in terms of decision-making during the match. We’ll work on that when we get back to training. The World Championships are in September, so we’ll be focusing on that,” Moussima concluded.

These two tournaments marked the start of the Paralympic qualification process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games – more parajudo action will follow, stayed tuned for excitement from the tatami!