Canada’s Christa Deguchi earned silver and teammate Jessica Klimkait took bronze in the women’s 57-kilogram division at the world judo championships on Monday in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Deguchi, 28, from Lethbridge, Alta., reached the final of the draw before losing to Korea’s Mimi Huh. Klimkait, 27, from Whitby, Ont., lost to Huh in the semifinals but defeated Israel’s Timna Nelson Levy in the repechage final.
Ranked No. 1 in the world, Deguchi earned her fourth career medal at the worlds.
The competition was crucial for the Canadian pair in earning a spot on the Olympic team. Canada can take only one athlete in the 57-kg and their coach, Antoine Valois-Fortier, said the world championship competition would be the final determiner.
Klimkait, who’s ranked second in the world, edged Deguchi for the Olympic spot at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
WATCH: Deguchi takes silver, Klimkait bronze at world judo championships:
The Lethbridge, Alta. native fell to Mimi Huh in the final of the women’s 57-kg competition during the World Judo Championships in Abu Dhabi.
The 27-year-old from Whitby, Ont. took down Timna Nelson Levy to win a bronze medal in the women’s 57-kg competition during the World Judo Championships in Abu Dhabi.