BUDAPEST, Hungary — Ontarian Jessica Klimkait won bronze at the Budapest Judo Grand Slam on Friday.
After having a bye in the first round in the -57 kg category, the athlete from Whitby defeated the Hungarian Kitti Kovacs.
However, she was surprised in her second fight, losing to Japan’s Haruka Funakubo, eventual gold medalist.
“Jessica had a good day. She is in preparation for the World Championships, said coach Antoine Valois-Fortier.
“The Japanese is in good shape and it was a good challenge. (Jessica) dominated almost from start to finish, but Funakubo took advantage of a transition on the ground to take the lead.
In the repechage, Klimkait defeated Belgium’s Mina Libeer, earning her ticket to a bronze medal fight.
Opposed to the Cuban Arnaes Odelin Garcia, Klimkait was expeditious to win by ippon.
Canadians Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, François Gauthier-Drapeau and Mohab ElNahas will be in action on Saturday.
The Canadian Press
