Shady El Nahas etched his name on the sports tapestry, bagging gold in the prestigious Pan American Games judo division in the fiercely competitive 100-kilogram category. Triumph ensued last Monday when this 25-year-old forceful contender from Toronto outshone Chilean rival, Thomas Briceno. The victory was clinched with an ippon—a decisive maneuver in judo, entailing a successful thrust that lands an opponent flat on the back or pins them immobile for an unbroken 20 seconds.
El Nahas’ accomplishment came despite physical setback and fatigue, having secured a bronze at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam just days prior. The taxing bouts had left him sore and battered, but even as he landed on Santiago’s shores, he was determined. His words echoed the intensity of his invincible spirit, “No injury, no time limit, no jet lag is going to stop me from winning.” The warrior’s tale unfolded as hoped; he achieved his goal.
The ethos of his life is ‘dare to be great’, resonating profoundly on the day of his victory. Striking gold wasn’t only a personal feat; it represented a significant milestone for Judo Canada and Team Canada. El Nahas’ achievement sparkled on the global sporting horizon; he had previously won the Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 and had made it to the top five in the Olympics in Tokyo two years prior.
In simultaneous events, prodigy surfer Sanoa Dempfle-Olin from Tofino, B.C., brought home silver in the women’s category and earned a provisional qualification for the impending Olympic Games lined up for next year in Paris. Furthermore, Vancouver’s own Spencer Finn carved a niche in the world of sports with a bronze in men’s standup paddleboard surfing. The spectrum of victories painted the athletic prowess of Canada in vibrant hues, reflecting the power and potential of its gifted athletes.
