François Gauthier-Drapeau Captures Gold at Abu Dhabi Grand Slam

Montréal, November 29, 2025 – Canada’s François Gauthier-Drapeau scooped up the second Grand Slam gold medal of his career on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates, ending an outstanding day in the under-81 kg category atop the podium in Abu Dhabi.

Photo: IJF
François Gauthier-Drapeau

After opening the scoring in the first minute of the final against Russia’s Abdul-Kerim Tasuev, he added a waza-ari to the board with just over two minutes to go, on his way to a decisive victory. However, he had to walk a tight line to ensure he did not receive a third penalty and thus blow his lead.

“In the final, I really did some good judo. My techniques worked well, and I racked up points quickly. I had been a bit nervous about facing such a tough opponent, though, and I knew I was going to have to bring my A game! Having received two penalties, I couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes. That’s always a stressful situation to be in, but I managed,” said Gauthier-Drapeau, who now has eleven Grand Slam medals to his name, including two gold.

After dispatching of Ramon Hernandez Jr. of the USA, Shinebayar Oyunchimeg of Mongolia, and Georgi Gramatikov of Bulgaria earlier on Saturday, Gauthier-Drapeau faced Moldova’s Victor Sterpu in the semi-finals. His victory in that match allowed him to advance to the big final, where he was crowned champion.

“Winning a medal today feels great, and it’s a real confidence booster,” said Gauthier-Drapeau, who also won gold at the Pan-American Open in Montréal, where he competed in the under-90 kg pool.

Also on Saturday, Jessica Klimkait (-63 kg) came within one win of reaching the podium in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a feat she had achieved at her last two Grand Prix events in Lima and Guadalajara.

However, in her bronze medal match, the Canadian bowed out to Carlotta Avanzato of Italy.

Earlier, Klimkait had defeated Lucy Renshall of Great Britain in her first bout of the day. She then lost to Rafaela Silva of Brazil, who later won bronze, and moved on to the repechage, where she ousted Iva Oberan of Croatia before facing Avanzato.

The category’s gold medal went to Megu Danno of Japan. Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo of Mongolia collected silver.

On Friday, Julien Frascadore (-66 kg) was eliminated in his first bout of the day by Kazakhstan’s Nurkanat Serikbayev.

The three Canadians will compete at the Tokyo Grand Slam next week. They will be accompanied by Daniil Kremerman (-66 kg), Arthur Margelidon (-81 kg), Evelyn Beaton (-52 kg), Carla Van Zyl (-57 kg), Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (-63 kg), and Coralie Godbout (-78 kg).

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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada

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