Less than 24 hours after losing in the cadet final, John Jr. Messé A Bessong (+100 kg) was back on the Peruvian tatami with the intention of climbing to the top step of the podium, this time in the framework of the Junior Pan American and Oceanian Championships in Lima. The Canadian did not fail in the task, completing his day with three victories and gold around his neck.
John Jr. Messé A Bessong left no doubt about his ambitions on Sunday. He defeated Chilean Jose Ignacio Jara and Colombian Elmer Orejuela in quick succession by ippon to secure his place in the final. He then completed a perfect tournament by winning by waza Ari against the American Christian Konoval.
« I wasn’t necessarily at my peak this week, but I definitely felt better today (Sunday). I made the necessary adjustments after my loss yesterday and it paid off. I was much faster and I absolutely wanted to win“commented the new champion after the competition.
Nikola Petrovic (-100 kg) and Lasha Tsatsalashvili (-73 kg) also reached the grand final of their respective category, without however being able to come out with the expected medal.
Petrovic saw his hopes of being crowned champion fly away after a constant duel which ended in ippon against the Brazilian Kayo Santos. The British Columbian, who had previously won his two fights, thus got his hands on the money.
The scenario turned out to be similar for Lasha Tsatsashvili. The one who had won the honors in the cadets the day before won his first three duels by ippon, but could not complete the sweep. The Ontarian had to admit defeat against the Brazilian Gabriel Falcao in the grand final.
« Nikola and Lasha had a great day! They had very close fights against good opponents and they really showed their full potential. It’s a good experience for the future and they certainly have a bright future ahead of them.“, Analyzed coach Sasha Mehmedovic about his proteges.
Also in action in the under 73 kg category, Munkhjin Batdorj was defeated in the semi-finals by this same Falcao. The Quebecer, however, ended his day in style by winning against the Argentinian Matteo Etchechury to climb on the third step of the podium.
Bronze day for Popovic, Keays and Simard
David Popovic (-81 kg), Janessa Keays (+78 kg) and Justine Simard (-70 kg) added bronze medals to the Canadian harvest by winning their very last fight of the day in Lima.
Defeated in the quarter-finals against the Brazilian Kauan Santos, crowned champion of the division a few hours later, Popovic did not give up and made his way to the third step of the podium. The Quebecer made it happen by beating Panamanian Jose Albis Castro Matos, penalized three times in this duel.
Saskatchewan’s Janessa Keays also finished her competition strong, winning by ippon against Peru’s Idania Ambulay. In her only other match of the tournament, the Canadian athlete lost to eventual gold medalist Luana Oliveira of Brazil.
For her part, Justine Simard was decorated with bronze thanks to a victory acquired against her teammate Laurence Biron. It was a third win in a row for Simard, who was only beaten on her first outing of the day.
Biron therefore finished fifth in the division standings. His compatriots Raphael Gaanan (-60 kg) and Callie Render (-63 kg) also finished off the podium after heartbreaking setbacks in bronze finals.
Gaanan of British Columbia lost to Panamanian Eriberto De Aza, while Render lost to American Emily Daniela Jaspe.
Also in action on Sunday, Alberta’s Aliya Koliaska won just one of her three bouts and finished seventh in the -57 kg category. The only other Canadian competing in this competition, British Columbian Ekaterina Danilkov (-48 kg) was eliminated after an early loss.
By virtue of its collection of seven medals, the Maple Leaf delegation finished second in the nations ranking behind Brazil and its 16 podiums. Something to make Sasha Mehmedovic proud.
« It was a very good day and we are happy with the performance. Our young athletes came to compete and they showed great things. It’s a very positive experience for them and they will learn a lot from their time in Peru.. “, he concluded.
