Montreal, March 27, 2009 (Sportcom) – Canada continued to sparkle at the Pan American judo championships on Friday in Buenos Aires winning five more medals.  Nicholas Tritton of Perth, Ont., and Frazer Will of Star City, Sask., each won silver while Shujon Mazunder of Toronto, Michal Popiel of Montreal and Joliane Melançon of Blainville, Que., all notched bronze.

 

In men’s 73 kilos, Tritton opened with three victories to advance to the final.  He lost a close championship bout to Olympic bronze medallist Leandro Guilheir of Brazil.

 

‘’Nicholas had a remarkable day,’’ said Canadian national team coach Nicholas Gill.  ‘’He faced a tough field and fought well in the final.  He also beat Yordanis Arencibia of Cuba who was an Olympic and world championship medallist when he competed in 66 kilos.’’

 

In men’s 60 kilos, Will received a first round bye then defeated Juan Postigos of Peru and Mariano Russo to advance to the final.  He lost the gold medal bout to defending champion Javier Guedez of Venezuela.  ‘’Frazer was trailing early on but dominated the last part of the final,’’ said Gill.  ‘’If he would have had another minute, he may have won.’’

 

In men’s 66 kilos, Popiel headed to the bronze medal bout after losing to Joao Derly of Brazil in the third round.  Popiel reached the podium defeating Alejandro Zuniga of Chile.

 

Mazunder posted a 1-2 record in men’s 55 kilos for third place.

In women’s 57 kilos, Melançon lost her opening match to Yurisleidy Lupety of Cuba but cameback with two wins through the repechage over Angelica Delgado of the U.S., and Melissa Rodriguez of Argentina to claim the bronze.

 

‘’She had a good bout in the bronze medal match,’’ said Gill.  ‘’She’s really improved over the last few months and is enjoying a good year.’’

 

Other women’s results : Bianca Ockedahl was fifth in 48 kilos with a 1-2 record and Laurie Wiltshire of Calgary lost her opening bout to Glenda Miranda of Ecuador and was not ranked in women’s 52 kilos.

 

Canada concludes the individual events with nine medals.  On Thursday, Alexandre Émond of Varennes, Que., took gold in men’s 90 kilos while bronze medals were earned by Kelita Zupancic of Whitby, Ont., in women’s 70 kilos, Amy Cotton of Judique, N.S., in women’s 78 kilos and Scott Edward of Calgary in men’s 100 kilos.

 

The team event is scheduled for Saturday.