Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi’s Olympic Journey Ends After First Bout

Montréal, August 2, 2024 – Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi, the final Canadian to compete in an individual judo event at the Paris Olympic Games, was defeated in her first-round match in the over-78 kg category at the Champ-de-Mars Arena on Friday.

“To be honest, I really didn’t think this was how things would turn out,” explained the judoka, who came out of retirement in the fall of 2023 after taking a six-year break from the sport due to the effects of concussions.

Photo : Candice Ward/COC

Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi

On Friday, the 28-year-old athlete was up against Izayana Marenco of Nicaragua in the first round. Although Portuondo Isasi had defeated her at the Pan-American and Oceania Senior Championships last April, this time it was the Nicaraguan who gained the upper hand, scoring an ippon just over two minutes into regulation time.

“She took advantage of an opportunity when I made a poor attack. That’s what I find most disappointing. I’m annoyed with myself for that. I’m happy to be at the Olympics because it’s a major accomplishment, but it’s not enough. It will never be enough. I came here to win a medal, and nothing less. The way I lost my first fight . . . I can’t be proud of that,” she added.

Her opponent, Marenco, lost her subsequent match by ippon to Beatriz Souza of Brazil.

Despite her early elimination from the Olympic tournament, Portuondo Isasi remains proud of her journey to the Games.

“I’m very proud. This was my childhood dream. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was ten years old. I saw Nicolas Gill compete, and although I didn’t know what an Olympian was, I could see the way people admired him. I remember telling my dad I wanted to be like [Gill], and I’ve spent my whole life working toward that.”

Canada’s judokas will return to the Parisian tatamis one final time on Saturday, for the mixed team event.

“Although I’m disappointed about today, I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It’s not over yet. Tomorrow is another day. I’m confident in our Canadian team because it’s strong and close-knit. The best thing about my judo experience is my colleagues. I truly believe we can accomplish something extraordinary, and I’m going to give it my all.”

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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada

For more information:

Patrick Esparbès
Chief Operating Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org