Montreal, January 30, 2010 – Joliane Melançon of Blainville, Que., placed fifth in women’s 57 kilos on Saturday at a World Cup judo competition in Sofia, Bulgaria.

 

Melançon, ranked 29th in the world, opened the tournament with three straight wins to advance to the semifinals. She defeated Evangelia Efkarpidi of Greece by two Waza-ari, and Johanna Mueller of Germany and Yulia Ryzhova of Russia, both by Ippon.

 

Corina Oana Caprioriu of Romania, ranked 11th internationally, defeated Melançon in the semis scoring an Ippon with an arm lock in the third minute.

 

World number-six and world championship bronze medallist, Hedvig Karakas of Hungary beat Melançon by a Waza-ari in a bronze medal bout.

 

‘’I’m pleased with all my bouts except the semifinal,’’ said Melançon, 23. ‘’I made a costly mistake. After a poor attack, we were both on the mat. I was under her and when I turned she caught my arm.

 

‘’I’m pleased with my bout against Karakas. The last time we met, she beat me in 10 seconds. This time I didn’t get caught by surprise. Physically though she was stronger and faster.’’

 

Bianca Ockedahl of Montreal and Laurie Wiltshire of Calgary also competed in Sofia.

 

In women’s 48 kilos, Ockedahl defeated Iona Matei of Romania by Ippon in her first bout then lost to Nataliya Kondratyeva of Russia, ranked 12th in the world, and was eliminated.

 

‘’It wasn’t a pleasant day,’’ said Ockedahl. ‘’It was the second time this season that I’ve lost to her. I made a mistake attempting a technique and she countered and put me in a stranglehold.’’

 

In women’s 52 kilos, Wiltshire lost her opening bout to Maryna Cernyak of Ukraine.

 

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