Deguchi reached the final of the under 57 kg class, but fell short of the world title against South Korean Mimi Huh. She lost after receiving a third penalty, during a long fight which required more than eight minutes of overtime.
Deguchi therefore won the silver medal, having won gold last year in Doha, Qatar.
Klimkait had to settle for a fight for bronze, which she won against Israeli Timna Nelson Levy. This is a fourth podium in a row at the worlds for Klimkait, after his title in 2021, as well as his 3rd places the following two years.
Jessica Klimkait. Photo: IJF
The final decision for the Paris Games rests with Judo Canada and will be revealed on June 27. The progress of these world championships, however, gives Deguchi a serious advantage with a view to Olympic qualification, which would be a first in his case.
The two great Canadian rivals, Deguchi, world no. 1 in her category, just ahead of Klimkait, no. 2, were expected in the final, with the world title and, possibly, Olympic qualification at stake.
This meeting did not take place since Klimkait was defeated in the semi-finals by Mimi, eventual champion.
Victim of a waza-ari 40 seconds into her duel, Klimkait tried to gain the advantage over her rival, in vain. Six seconds from the end of the fight, the Ontarian burst into tears, seeing her chances of qualifying for her second Olympic Games diminish.
Antoine Valois-Fortier tries to comfort Jessica Klimkait after her defeat at the World Championships in Doha. Photo: IJF / Tamara Kulumbegashvili
Klimkait won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Games.
Among the men, the Canadian Arthur Margelidon (-73 kg) was defeated in his second fight by the Japanese Tatsuki Ishihara.
For his part, Julien Frascadore (-66 kg) lost his flag in his first fight against the Frenchman Daikii Bouba.
2024-05-20 13:30:41
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