Canada’s Christa Deguchi will fight for a judo medal at the Olympics.
The top-seeded Deguchi won her first two bouts on Monday to advance to the semifinals of the women’s 57-kg division in Paris.
Deguchi will face France’s Sarah Leonie Cysique in the semifinals at 10:12 a.m. ET / 7:12 a.m. PT.
Cysique won silver in this event at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
Born in Japan, Deguchi, 28, made the move to represent her father’s birth country in 2017.
Deguchi lost out to Jessica Klimkait in a fierce battle for Canada’s lone Tokyo Olympic spot in 2021, with the latter going on to win bronze.
Deguchi flipped the script this year, finishing second at the world championships to edge Klimkait for Canada’s Paris berth.
Canada is searching for its first judo gold in Olympic history.
Deguchi has won two world championships (2019, 2023) to go along with a silver and a bronze.
Canadian judoka Christa Deguchi has made history by advancing to the semifinals of the Olympic judo competition. Deguchi, who hails from Lethbridge, Alberta, is the first Canadian woman to reach this stage in the sport at the Olympics.
Deguchi’s journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of impressive. The 25-year-old has been competing in judo since she was a young girl and has worked tirelessly to reach this level of competition. Her dedication and hard work have paid off, as she has consistently performed well in international competitions leading up to the Olympics.
In the quarterfinals, Deguchi faced off against tough competition from around the world. However, she remained focused and determined, using her skill and technique to secure victory and advance to the next round. Her performance has garnered praise from fans and fellow athletes alike, with many commending her for her tenacity and sportsmanship.
Deguchi’s success at the Olympics is a testament to her talent and dedication to the sport of judo. She has proven herself to be a formidable competitor on the world stage, and her journey to the semifinals is a source of inspiration for aspiring judokas everywhere.
As Deguchi prepares for the semifinals, Canadian fans are eagerly anticipating her next match and cheering her on as she continues to make history in the sport of judo. With her skill, determination, and unwavering focus, there is no doubt that Christa Deguchi has what it takes to go all the way and bring home a medal for Canada.