By Canadian Press

Canada’s Shady El Nahas a Pan American Games judo champion

Oct 30, 2023 | 2:55 PM

SANTIAGO, Chile — Shady El Nahas captured Pan American Games judo gold Monday in the men’s 100-kilogram class.

The 25-year-old from Toronto defeated Chile’s Thomas Briceno in the final by a match-ending ippon, which is defined as either a successful throw of an opponent onto his or her back, or a pin lasting 20 seconds.

After winning a bronze medal in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam late last week, El Nahas said he arrived in Santiago, Chile, feeling sore and injured.

“I came here and I was like ‘no injury, no time limit, no jet lag is going to stop me from winning’ and that was my goal and I’m glad I achieved it,” El Nahas said.

“I live by the code ‘dare to be great.’ I dared to be great today. I’m glad that Judo Canada got a gold medal and (also) Team Canada.”

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El Nahas won Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 and placed fifth in the Olympic Games two years ago in Tokyo.

Also Monday, teenage surfer Sanoa Dempfle-Olin of Tofino, B.C., earned silver in the women’s event and provisionally qualified for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris. 

Vancouver’s Spencer Finn earned a bronze medal in men’s standup paddleboard surfing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2023.

The Canadian Press