MORGAN, LEVESQUE EARN OLYMPIC BERTHS IN JUDO

MORGAN, LEVESQUE EARN OLYMPIC BERTHS IN JUDO

TSN.CA STAFF/SPORTCOM

5/9/2008 8:52:59 AM

Two more Canadians have secured berths on the 2008 Olympic team in the sport of Judo.

Keith Morgan of Calgary and Marylise Levesque of La Pocatiere, Que., assured themselves a spot on the Canadian team for the Beijing Games at the Pan American judo championships in Miami.

By simply taking part in the tournament, Morgan earned his ticket to China. However he still won the gold medal in the men's 100 kilos defeating Eduardo Costa of Argentina in the final.

Levesque gained a spot defeating Mirla Nolberto of Guatemala in the women's 78 kilos bronze medal match.

"For Keith it was a formality," said Canadian national team coach Nicolas Gill. "For Marylise it was also relatively easy. There were no surprises." Catherine Roberge of Beauport, Que., was also hunting for a spot but fell short.

She defeated Ronda Rousey of the U.S., the world championship silver medallist, in women's 70 kilos for the bronze.
Roberge needs to finish in the top-two at the final Pan American zone tournament Sunday in Miami. A win there will guarantee her selection while a second place finish would put her in a tie for the last available spot.

In men's 90 kilos, Alexander Emond of Varennes, Que., defeated Jorge Benavide for the bronze medal. Emond was not in contention for an Olympic spot.

"He had a good tournament," said Gill. "He lost against the Argentinean (Diego Rosatti) who was second. In the repechage he won all his bouts.

It's his first medal at this level. It's a positive step in his career." Fifth place finishes were posted by Olia Berger of Winnipeg in women's 78 kilos and over and Tyler Boras of Lethbridge, Alta., in men's 81 kilos.

Berger lost to Melissa Mojica of Puerto Rico in her bronze medal bout and Boras fell to Oscar Cardenas of Cuba. "Olia wasn't in contention for an Olympic berth," said Gill.

"She came here to compete in a final international tournament before retiring. For Tyler he needed to win gold to be selected.

He lost two close bouts." In women's 63 kilos, Marie-Helene Chisholm of Port-Cartier, Que., wasn't ranked. She lost to world champion Driulis Gonzales of Cuba and Jessica Garcia of Puerto Rico.

"Marie-Helene missed most of the Olympic qualifying events due to injury and we have requested a wildcard selection for her," said Gill who hopes to receive a response to his request within a couple of weeks.

In men's 100 kilos and over Ian Alexander of Ontario fell to Carlos Zegarra of Peru in the first round.

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