Jacob Valois Achieves Best Performance on European Soil

Montreal, August 20, 2016 – Six Canadian judokas took to the tatami representing Canada today, in Poliesti, Romania, during the Junior European Cup. At 18 years of age, Jacob Valois provided Canada with the team’s best result, earning a fifth place finish in the Under 66 kg class. 

Starting his day with a pass, the athlete from Boucherville then went on to earn three consecutive victories to reach the semi-finals. The result of that crucial match was decided via penalties, with Valois receiving three, and Denis Vieru of Moldova receiving only one. Vieru went on to capture the gold medal in the category.

In the bronze medal final, an Ippon doled out by Switzerland’s Nils Stump after 2 minutes and 28 seconds of action sent Valoir back to fifth place.

“Jacob Valois was the standout of the team today with three victories, and a fifth place final result – his best ever in Europe,” commented Canadian Junior and Cadet National Team Coach Jean-Pierre Cantin.

 In the same weight category, Gabriel Juteau finished in seventh place. Nils Stump was the author of both Juteau’s and Valois’ downfalls, the Swiss judoka knocking out the Canadians in quick succession.

In the Under 66 kg class, Stump went on to a bronze medal finish, while Bulgaria’s Arman Martirosyan took silver, and Moldova’s Cornel Andries tied for bronze.   

“Our judokas performed well overall, but once again the problem we’re having is a lack of strength. Our athletes aren’t quite strong enough yet to dominate their adversaries and control the match. However, today’s experience is very valuable since most of these athletes are young,” analysed Jean-Pierre Cantin.

In the Under 73 kg class, Ontario’s Bradley Langlois finished his day in ninth place, after one victory and one defeat in the preliminary round, followed by a repeat win then loss in repêchage.

The rest of the Canadian team did not manage to make it into the rankings. Vincent Miran (Under 60 kg) won, then lost a match; Marie Besson (Under 52 kg) also won then lost a match in the preliminary round, then saw another defeat in repêchage an thus was unable to achieve a ranking; Camelia Pitsilis was halted after a defeat in her first match.  

Tomorrow, judokas from the heavier weight categories will meet on Ploiesti’s tatamis; Canadian’s seven men and five women will be the athletes to watch.

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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada

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