Montréal, September 30, 2012 – The judoka Catherine Roberge won a bronze medal Sunday, in the last day of competition at the Judo World Cup in Rome.

After beginning her tourney on a positive note with a victory by ippon over the Italian Valeria Ferrari, the 30-year-old athlete fell to the Hollander Guusje Steenhuis, in what was considered to be an extremely close bout by her coach Nicolas Gill.

In her first match in the repechage, Roberge, classed 42^nd in the world in the under 78 kg division, eliminated the Pole Katarzyna Furmanek by way of an ippon. Roberge would eventually be awarded the bronze medal by day’s end, after the Brit Natalie Powell declared forfeit.

In Nicolas Gill’s opinion, the Quebecer’s performance was quite satisfactory. “It’s a nice return to International competition for her, he declared.  After a few months of recovery time following her non-selection for the Olympic Games in London, it’s great to see her get off on the right foot with a bronze medal in Rome! It’s very positive.”

The gold medal was won by the 50^th ranked judoka, Frenchwoman Géraldine Mentouopou, overcoming the German Annika Heise, 29^th in the world, in the finale.

The judokas Louis Krieber-Gagnon (81 kg), Scott McGrandle (81 kg), Ana Laura Portuondo-Isasi (78 kg), Sophie Vaillancourt (78 kg) and Alix Renaud-Roy (70 kg) were also in action, Sunday, but none were able to obtain a classification.

Catherine Roberge will take part in the World Cup of Turkey next week.

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