Canada’s judoka Francois Gauthier-Drapeau secured his second Grand Slam gold medal in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The 27-year-old athlete from Alma, Quebec, dominated the men’s 81-kilogram class final by scoring early against Abdul-Kerim Tasuev of Russia. Gauthier-Drapeau sealed the victory with a waza-ari move, showcasing his control and precision in the match.
Reflecting on his performance, Gauthier-Drapeau expressed satisfaction with his judo techniques, emphasizing the effectiveness of his strategies in accumulating points swiftly. Despite facing a formidable opponent, he acknowledged the need to deliver his best performance to achieve success.
Managing the pressure of maintaining his lead, Gauthier-Drapeau navigated the match cautiously to avoid receiving a third penalty that could jeopardize his win. With strategic composure, he ensured he did not make any further mistakes, securing his 11th Grand Slam medal.
Having triumphed over competitors like Ramon Hernandez Jr., Shinebayar Oyunchimeg, and Georgi Gramatikov, Gauthier-Drapeau’s victory marked a significant milestone in his career. The judoka’s recent success adds to his confidence, following his gold medal win at the Pan-American Open in Montreal last November.
Participating in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Gauthier-Drapeau’s journey faced an early exit during a repechage match. Meanwhile, Jessica Klimkait from Whitby, Ontario, fell short in the bronze-medal match in the women’s 63 kg category against Italy’s Carlotta Avanzato.
Looking ahead, Gauthier-Drapeau and Klimkait are set to compete in the Tokyo Grand Slam next week, representing Canada alongside seven other athletes.