麻豆社区

It's a story that could happen to any young judo athlete, and Olympic bronze medalist Antoine Valois-Fortier is determined to share it.

Ranked 21st in the world prior to the London Olympic Games this past summer, Valois-Fortier seemingly came out of nowhere to win a medal for his country on the judo mat.

He defeated American Travis Stevens in the 81-kg class to win his bronze 鈥� the first judo medal for Canada since 2000. Ironically, Valois-Fortier's coach Nicolas Gill won that medal, a silver.

The Quebec-born Valois-Fortier met Gill when he was only 10 years old, when Gill was touring judo clubs discussing his recent silver medal triumph in the 100-kg class at the Sydney Olympics.

Valois-Fortier clearly remembers that visit, and the inspiration Gill was for him. Gill became his role model in the sport, and gave him goals to aspire towards.

Valois-Fortier is hoping to make some of those same impressions on the young judo athletes he is meeting on his current cross-country tour, which will include Whitehorse.

"I'm hoping that the kids I'll meet will understand that with a lot of effort and sacrifice, anything is possible,鈥� the Olympian explained in a press release. "I want to show kids that I'm just a regular guy who worked hard and maybe believed in himself a bit more than most.

"It's important for me to share my Olympic experience with these youngsters because the London Games were truly the most emotional and exciting times of my entire life.鈥�

Valois-Fortier will arrive in the Yukon capital tomorrow.

Thursday evening, he will share his talents with young Judo Yukon athletes at their regular meeting at Vanier Catholic Secondary School.

On Friday, Valois-Fortier will speak at a variety of Yukon schools about his Olympic experience, before participating in an invite-only mixed martial arts clinic in the Westmark hotel conference room.

Despite a fairly structured schedule, the public will get a chance to mingle with the young medalist at a meet-and-greet scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Westmark.

Following that, Valois-Fortier will present a youth award at an Association franco-yukkonnaise gala. By Sunday, he will lead a clinic in Abbotsford, B.C.

"It's going to be a bit of a whirlwind,鈥� local organizer Aaron Jensen admitted.

Jensen said Valois-Fortier's story will make an impression with local judokas.

"We can only hope that it's going to inspire them to stick with it,鈥� he said of the Olympian's humble beginnings. "It kind of inspires everybody. It inspires us as coaches. Look at this young kid 鈥� that's the outcome that we're coaching these athletes (towards).

"Antoine is a hot commodity right now. Just to have a Canadian judoka on the podium is a big deal ... It's very rare,鈥� added Jensen. "Nobody expected him to medal. It was a bit of a surprise.鈥�

Jensen said a favourable impression from Valois-Fortier could attract new athletes to the sport or work to convince those "on the fence鈥� to stick with judo.

"In Whitehorse, in the Yukon as it is, we've got so few athletes that all the sports kind of compete for the select ones that want to commit,鈥� Jensen explained.

Currently, Judo Yukon has more than 50 members that meet at Vanier school.

Jensen said a permanent location could boost membership.