Arthur Karpukov rises above injury to earn a silver. Loika Robertson and Charlie Thibault coming home with bronze medals
Montréal, April 19, 2025 – Canada’s judokas earned three medals – one silver and two bronze – Saturday at the Panamerican and Oceania Championships Juniors Individuals in Peru’s capital city of Lima.
Arthur Karpukov was Team Canada’s star on Saturday with his silver medal. The Montrealer gave it his all in the -81kg class final, despite suffering a shoulder injury in the semi-finals. In the end, the Canadian lost to Brazil’s Enzo Trombini.
“My injury prevented me from performing like I wanted to, and it came down to one move,” shared Karpukov. “After I finished the semi-final, then my adrenalin ran out, and I couldn’t lift my arm. The physiotherapist did an amazing job though, and I was able to take part in the final.”
The Canadian had previously gotten the better of Peruvian Fatih Munoz, Venezuelan Luis Pariche, and American Daniel Shulgin in earlier rounds.
“Before the injury, for my other fights, I felt great! I was in excellent shape and I knew I was going to make it to the final. To come away with a silver medal feels really good. Thought it’s not exactly what I’d hoped for, I can definitely be proud of myself.”
Also on the tatami Saturday for Team Canada was Lowan Le Bris. In action in the -73kg category, the British Columbia native was defeated by American judoka Anthony Farnot. Le Bris ended his day in fifth place; having won his first two bouts, but lost in the semi-finals.
Montréal’s Daniil Kremerman also came close to a podium finish in Peru. He won his firstbout in the -66 kg class, but then lost, which meant he was relegated to the repechage.There, Kremerman defeated two opponents before losing his final match where there was a bronze medal was at stake.
In the -60kg category, Québec’s Vincent Nepton ended the day with three wins and two losses, while British Columbia’s Amir Temirbaev earned one win and two losses.
Luke Thomson (-66 kg), Fahd Fithane (-73 kg) and Lucas MacDonald (-90 kg) were all halted after one bout in their respective categories. Franck David Moussima Ewane Elouti was defeated in both his -100kg matches.
Two bronze medals to go!
Karpukov wasn’t the only Canadian judoka to make a statement Saturday; two other athletes were able to step on the podium, but bronze medals. Both Loika Robertson and Charlie Thibault earned themselves some additional carry-ons for their eventual fight home.
Robertson made short work on the mat of Cuba’s Wendy Martinez in the -63 kg category. Of note is the fact that this is only Robertson’s second appearance at the Pan-American and Oceania Championships. While she lost her first bout last year, this year she recorded three victories and only one defeat.
“I was really nervous this morning! At my last tournament, things didn’t go my way. Today, I kept my head up after my defeat, and was dominant in the repechage. It feels good to get back on track like this,” enthused Robertson.
Also competing, Québec’s Sara-Anne Beaudin suffered two defeats, in the same category (-63kg).
Charlie Thibault must be getting accustomed to success, this with, her second bronze medal in two days in the -70kg category. The Québec judoka got off to a good start on Saturday with wins in her first two bouts, and headed to the semi-finals.
A loss to Brazilian Maria Eduarda Oliveira – the eventual gold medallist – meant that Thibault would be competing in the bronze final. Thibault thundered back to earn her place on the podium with a triumph over another Brazilian, Carolina Marcon.
“I’m really happy! I’d already beaten that girl, so I knew I was capable of winning against her. I was confident! It wasn’t an easy fight – I expected it to be tough – and it turned out well,” said the cadet who also won a silver medal on Friday. “For a cadet to win a medal in the Junior category is really great! I surpassed the goals I set for myself and I’m very proud,” concluded Thibault.
Québec’s Missy Jen Dorval Mbele (-70 kg) lost both her matches in her weight class.
Fellow Quebecer Melody Grenier took part in the -52kg class. A cadet silver medallist the day before, she defeated her first opponent before losing two matches, which put an end to her junior competition.
Laurence Gagnon proved resilient in the -57kg category. While Gagnon started with a loss, she was able to bounce back with style in the repechage with three consecutive wins. The Quebecer then found herself in a bronze medal fight, which she sadly lost to Audrey Pacheco of Venezuela.
British Columbia’s Carla Van Zyl finished with two wins and two losses in the same category as Gagnon.
Alberta’s Addyson Tamura (-48 kg) and Ontario’s Dasha Tkachenko (-52 kg) were unable to make it past their first bouts on the tatami.
More judo excitement is set for Sunday, with the teams competitions at Panamerican and Oceania Championships Juniors for both juniors and cadets.
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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada
For more information:
Patrick Esparbès
Chief Operating Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org