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Congratulations to Carla Van Zyl (Hart Judo Academy) on her gold medal performance this past weekend in Montreal!
Here is an article written by Sportcom for Judo Canada:
Junior Phenom Carla Van Zyl Leads Canada to a Tally of 11 Medals
Montréal, November 15, 2025 – British Colombia’s Carla Van Zyl made a lasting impression at the Panamerican Cup in Montreal on Saturday. The junior-aged athlete prevailed in the senior under-63 kg category, an even more remarkable achievement considering she usually competes in the under-57 kg weight class.
Her gold medal was one of four won by the Canadian team, with Julien Frascadore (-66 kg), Félix Mercier-Ross (-73 kg) and Coralie Godbout (-78 kg) also emerging victorious. No fewer than seven other Canadians took third place on the podium on this penultimate day of competition: Catherine Toshkov (-63 kg), Frédérique Lavigne (+78 kg), Vincent Nepton (-60 kg), Luke Thomson (-66 kg), Sébastien Fecteau (-66 kg), Fahd Fithane (-73 kg) and Justin Lemire (-73 kg).
Earlier on Saturday at the Zagreb Grand Prix in Croatia, veteran Arthur Margelidon lost his opening bout in the under-81 kg category.
Unfazed by facing older athletes, 18-year-old Carla Van Zyl admitted she was proud of the game plan she adopted before each duel.
“I began the day not thinking about the fact that I was competing in a senior tournament. I had a job to do, and for me, it was just a normal day at the office. It wasn’t about the age category: it was about judo. I wanted to give everything I had in my last fight,” declared the young athlete, who defeated American Karlee Carrouth in the final.
In her penultimate bout of the day, Van Zyl defeated her compatriot Miguela Ngombi, who was then bested by Britain’s Sunny Doig in the bronze medal match. The other bronze medal duel, an all-Canadian affair, saw Catherine Toshkov prevail over Dilana Gesa.
“This is an important step in my career. I learn so much at every tournament, so today’s result is like a boost in the right direction,” concluded Van Zyl, who was satisfied with her performance, but felt it did not surpass her seventh-place finish at the recent Junior World Championships.
