Montréal, November 14, 2025 – After winning silver in the junior category the day before, Nicole Daria Manaila had one goal in mind on Friday before entering the Montreal Panamerican Open cadet competition: reach the top step of the podium in the under-57 kg weight class.
It was mission accomplished for the Quebec native, who’s flawless performance in three bouts at the Pierre-Charbonneau Center led her to capture her second medal of the weekend. Manaila won the final in an expediting fashion, prevailing over American Madeline Tamanaha in less than 30 seconds.
“I was slightly nervous before the final, but I’m thrilled to have managed to win so quickly. I wasn’t planning on attacking this early, but the opportunity arose and I seized it. Yesterday’s setback in the final motivated me greatly to go for gold today,” shared Nicole Daria Manaila.
The Canadian had previously defeated American Aubrey Genereux and eventual bronze medalist Camila Heber, also from the United States, to reach the deciding match, all while playing through an injury sustained the day before.
“Yesterday, I got caught in an arm lock in the semi-finals, but didn’t give up when I probably should have. My shoulder and thumb were still sore today, which wasn’t easy, but I was still able to win three fights,” she added.
Emma Tritton secured the other bronze medal in the category.
On the men’s side, Gabrieli Makhatadze (-55 kg) also saved his best for last, emerging victorious in his category’s final after only 75 seconds against Liechtenstein’s Nik Foser.
“I was pretty confident going into this final tilt because I was physically and mentally ready. I never felt in danger and everything went swiftly. I felt good when I woke up this morning and told myself I absolutely had to go for gold. I’m extremely proud of myself,” shared Makhatadze.
After defeating Quebec’s Matheo Salazar in the opening bout, Makhatadze was pushed to his limits by American Sebastian Teran, and then by fellow Canadian Oleksandr Smakula. The Ontarian resisted his opponents’ attacks to advance to the gold medal match.
“The quarter-final bout was tough. He had beaten me many times before, and I really wanted to get the upper hand this time. It was just as difficult against Oleksandr. We often compete against each other and know each other well. I had to adjust my game to prevail,” he added.
A total of 37 medals were won by Canadian athletes on Friday at the Pierre-Charbonneau Centre. In addition to Nicole Daria Manaila and Gabrieli Makhatadze, Alexander Li (-50 kg), Roman Semyrozun (-60 kg), Anes Mati (-66 kg), Lowan Le Bris (-73 kg), Tristan Bourque (-81 kg), Matthew Molchanov (-90 kg), Dalia Benhamou (-44 kg), Melody Grenier (-52 kg), Maia Thomson (-63 kg) and Emiliya Aliyeva (+70 kg) were also crowned champions on Friday.
Xavier Brouillette (-60 kg), Lucas Gabriele (-81 kg), Andrew Maheux-Dyer (-90 kg), Franck David Moussima Ewane Elouti (+90 kg), Ariane Gougeon (-44 kg), Zoe Element (-48 kg), Maegan Grooten (-52 kg), Azra Benic (-70 kg) et Claudia Fillion (+78 kg) en argent, ainsi que Joseph Delye (-50 kg), Rocco Cobo (-50 kg), Amir Temirbaev (-60 kg), Silas Coughlan (-60 kg), Jonas Nelissen (-66 kg), Jasur Aliyev (-73 kg), Sarmat Kibizov (-81 kg), Anna Li (-48 kg), Leiya Chiasson (-52 kg), Helena Martins de Oliveira (-52 kg), Dilana Gesa (-63 kg), Finley Morasch (-63 kg) and Olivia Wisniowski (+70 kg) all added a bronze medal to Canada’s tally on Friday.
The action continues this weekend at the Pierre-Charbonneau Center with two days of senior’s competition at the Panamerican Open.
-30-
Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada
Media Contact
Patrick Esparbès
Chief Operating Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org