Christa Deguchi, Canada’s first Olympic gold medalist in judo, continues her mission to inspire young athletes during her New Brunswick visit. Photo: Canadian Olympic Committee
Canada’s first-ever Olympic judo champion, Christa Deguchi, is in New Brunswick this week, continuing her cross-country tour to inspire young athletes.
The 2024 gold medalist and two-time world champion is leading training sessions and visiting schools in Dieppe and Riverview, sharing her story and techniques with the next generation of judoka.
Deguchi’s historic win in Paris made her the first Canadian to capture Olympic gold in judo, a feat she attributes to her rigorous training in Japan and the unwavering support she’s found in Canada. “I want to work with Canadian kids to teach them the training I learned in Japan so they can use that to create their own style,” she said.
Switching to Team Canada in 2017 was a pivotal moment in Deguchi’s career, and she says the support she’s received since has been overwhelming. “Even if I didn’t win gold, they were cheering for me, and I’m honoured to be a part of Judo Canada,” she said.
Her visit to New Brunswick is part of a larger effort to grow the sport in Atlantic Canada, where judo has seen increasing interest. At training camps hosted by Judo Otoshi in Dieppe and Riverview, Deguchi is giving young athletes a hands-on opportunity to learn from one of the best in the world.
She is also visiting local schools, encouraging kids to dream big and embrace the values of judo, including discipline, respect, and resilience.
For more information about judo in the province, visit Judo New Brunswick.
With files from Brad Perry
