Three years after experiencing heartbreak at home during the Tokyo Olympics, Christa Deguchi has made history by winning Canada’s inaugural Olympic gold medal in judo at the Paris Games. Competing in the women’s under-57-kilogram weight class, the 28-year-old judoka sealed her victory on Monday against South Korea’s Mimi Huh, following a thrilling semi-final bout against France's Sarah-Léonie Cysique.

Deguchi’s journey has been remarkable. Born in Japan and practicing judo since the age of three, she switched her competitive allegiance to Canada in 2017, embracing her father’s birth country. Over the years, she has achieved great success, becoming Canada’s most decorated female judoka while training in Japan. Not only is she a two-time world champion, but her consistent performance in international competitions has made her a formidable competitor.

The road to this Olympic gold was not easy; Deguchi had to edge out another top Canadian judoka, Jessica Klimkait, for the sole Olympic spot. While Klimkait earned a bronze medal in Tokyo, it was Deguchi’s turn to shine in Paris, where she performed brilliantly before an enthusiastic crowd at Champ-de-Mars Arena, located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Deguchi's path in the Olympic tournament included a strong start with a quick victory in her opening match against Panama's Kristine Jiménez. She faced a tougher challenge in the quarter-finals but managed to prevail against Serbia's Marica Perisic in a tense battle that went to golden score. The semi-final against Cysique was a dramatic affair, filled with tension and excitement, culminating in a hard-fought victory for Deguchi.

With this extraordinary achievement, Deguchi expressed gratitude for the support she has received, particularly from Judo Canada, as she transitioned from a Japanese national contingent struggling to make an impact. She also credited Antoine Valois-Fortier, a Canadian bronze medalist from the 2010 London Olympics, for his coaching and encouragement during the final match.

Despite acknowledging that her final victory was not as she had envisioned—winning by a penalty rather than her signature throw—Deguchi expressed immense pride in representing Canada. She fondly recalled her earlier experiences adapting to her new national identity and affirmed, "Now I feel comfortable." Her win in Paris not only marks a personal triumph but also a historic moment for Canadian judo as she brings home the gold medal.