MONTREAL 芒鈧�� Judoka Jessica Klimkait was named outstanding female athlete at the Elite National Championship on Saturday after winning gold.
The 20-year-old Klimkait, of Whitby, Ont., went up against Quebec's Ecaterina Guica in the under-57 kilogram final. She secured the gold medal by serving an ippon to Guica, who was a member of the Canadian squad at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the under-52 kg category.
"As I prepared for the match, I didn't give too much thought to the fact that I was competing against an Olympian," said Klimkait. "I felt good and I believed I had a good chance. I went into it as I would any other competition and things turned out well."
Jacob Valois was named outstanding male athlete after winning gold in the under-66 kg category.
Arthur Margelidon took the gold medal in the under-81 kg group while 17-year-old Yumi Bellali claimed first place in the under-52 kg group.
"It was important to me to perform well here because this tournament is worth a lot of points and my victory enables me to qualify for the junior world championships," said Bellali, from Pointe-Claire, Que.
Saturday's other winners included Erin Morgan (-48 kg), Emily Burt (-70 kg), Mina Coulombe (-78 kg), Sarah Perks (+78 kg), Alexandre Dibartolo (-60 kg), Patrick Cantin (-73 kg), Zachary Burt (-90 kg), Shady El Nahas (-100 kg), and Kevin Gauthier (+100 kg).
The Canadian Press
