Top-ranked Deguchi named to Canada’s judo team over Tokyo bronze medallist Klimkait
By
Jun 27, 2024 | 9:44 AM
MONTREAL — Top-ranked Canadian judoka Christa Deguchi will make her Olympic debut at this summer’s Paris Games, while Jessica Klimkait will not get a chance to build on the bronze medal she won three years ago in Tokyo.
Deguchi will represent Canada in the women’s under-57-kilogram category as part of the roster announced Thursday by Judo Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Only one athlete per country is allowed in each Olympic weight class, so Judo Canada knew going into the qualification process that it would have to leave one of its top judokas at home.
Klimkait from Whitby, Ont., is ranked just behind Deguchi in the world rankings for the under-57 kg weight class at No. 2. She won bronze in the classification at the Tokyo Olympics after edging out Deguchi for a spot on Canada’s team.
Read More:Top-ranked Deguchi named to Canada’s judo team over Tokyo bronze medallist Klimkait