麻豆社区

The last time Antoine Valois-Fortier was in Whitehorse, he won two gold medals at the Canada Winter Games in 2007.

Five years later, the 22-year-old judoka returned with another medal 鈥� bronze.

Local judo athletes and elementary school students alike were treated to Valois-Fortier's inspirational story of achieving his Olympic dream on Thursday and Friday last week.

The young Olympian is currently on a cross-country tour to share his experience with aspiring judo athletes.

Ranked 21st in the world prior to the London Olympic Games this summer, the Quebec-born judoka surprised everyone by finishing on the podium.

Valois-Fortier defeated American Travis Stevens in the under-81 kg class to win his bronze 鈥� the first judo medal for Canada since 2000.

"It changed everything for me,鈥� Valois-Fortier said of the medal win. "Now I have a notoriety I didn't have before. I have opportunities that I didn't have before. I get to meet people, to experience things that not many people get to experience. So I'm just so happy and so proud of what's happening to me right now.鈥�

Valois-Fortier said he was well-prepared for his bronze-medal match against American Travis Stevens. His results had improved steadily for two months prior to the Olympics, and ultimately culminated in a podium finish.

"I knew I could be the guy who surprised everybody,鈥� he said. "Maybe not to the point of getting a medal, but I knew I could be the underdog. That day, I was in the present moment. I was able to focus to fight as hard as I can. Everything lined up.鈥�

For the moment, Valois-Fortier is enjoying his new-found fame on his nation-wide tour.

The l'Universit茅 du Qu茅bec 脿 Montr茅al student will return to more-intensive training after Christmas.

Later this month, he will head to Japan to compete in the Grand Slam Tokyo.

Valois-Fortier spent three days in the Yukon, speaking at schools and providing instruction at mixed-martial arts clinics.

He admitted he was touched by the response of the young judo athletes.

"All of them have their little story,鈥� he said. "They all have their little something 鈥� what they want to do in sports and stuff. Sometimes it's not in judo, but the important part is they have objectives and they do their best.

"I think if I can have an impact on a couple kids that I got to meet all over the country, it's always good if I can give them a little taste of what I experienced and hopefully the Olympic dream. Some kids I can tell I have some sort of impact and it always feels really, really good.鈥�

Valois-Fortier competed with Team Quebec at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

"When I came for the Canada Winter Games, the only thing I saw was the village, and then snow, and then the competition centre,鈥� he told the Star.

"I didn't get to see around. This time, I got to do a little bit of sightseeing. It's a really, really nice place here, but it's cold. It's too cold for me.鈥�

Judo Yukon president Dan Poelman said students were welcoming and receptive to the Olympian's inspirational tales. Valois-Fortier's message was a simple one.

"If you put in the effort, no matter what you do in life, you'll get the results,鈥� Poelman explained. "There's no secret to anything 鈥� You just have to believe in yourself. I think that was a positive message.鈥�

Poelman served as Valois-Fortier's tour guide, visiting Mac's Fireweed Books and other souvenir shops Thursday night.