Mahi-Savoy ultimately only managed to make one fight at the World Junior Judo Championships held in Odivelas, Portugal.
The 18-year-old from Dieppe, who competed in the under-57k category, wasn’t really that lucky as the draw wanted her to face in her first duel the bronze medalist, Julie Borskins, from Pays-Down.
“The draw wasn’t really in my favour,” Savoy confirmed with a laugh. My coach and I had analyzed some of his fights before the competition so I was prepared.
“On the other hand, during the fight we ended up finding ourselves on the ground. I was able to block her attacks for a moment, but since she was stronger than me, she was finally able to immobilize me,” says Savoy.
“It’s part of learning to be a judoka. You learn by competing against the best. It was also fun and exciting to watch this high level of judo,” adds Mahe-Savoie, who will return to action in mid-November with two important competitions on Quebec soil. .
It was Italian Veronica Toniolo who won the gold medal against Japanese Reiko Honda. Like Borskins, Brazil’s Beatriz Comaneci also won a bronze medal.
John Messé A. Bessong was the top Canadian judoka with a seventh-place finish in the over 100 kilogram category.
