Laval’s Kata Day Belonged to Canada, with Italy and Switzerland Also Reaching the Podium

Canada took center stage at the Kata World Series in Laval on 4 July, delivering a powerful home performance in one of judo’s most technical disciplines. With competitors from seven nations and 46 pairs across ten categories, the event showcased the precision and tradition that make kata such a distinctive part of judo.

The host nation finished on top of the medal table with eight gold, six silver and five bronze medals. Canada’s wins came across a wide spread of divisions, from Nage-no-Kata juniors to senior titles in Katame-no-Kata, Kime-no-Kata, Goshin Jutsu and Itsutsu-no-Kata. It was not just a strong result at the top end, but a sign of depth, with Canadian pairs appearing on podiums in multiple categories throughout the day.

One of the biggest stories in Laval came from Kelly Palmer and Wesley Enns. After winning Katame-no-Kata seniors, they returned to take a second gold in Itsutsu-no-Kata seniors, a rare double that highlighted both consistency and adaptability. In an event built on exact timing and refined execution, that kind of versatility stood out.

Two gold medals made Kelly Palmer and Wesley Enns one of the key stories of the day.

Shane Rooney also left a clear mark on the competition. Teaming up with Xiao Kang Hu, he won Kime-no-Kata seniors and later placed fourth with the same partner in Katame-no-Kata seniors. It added another layer to Canada’s strong overall showing and underlined how active the home team was across the schedule.

There were important European results too. Italy claimed the senior Ju-no-Kata title through Giovanni Tarabelli and Angelica Tarabelli, who produced the top score in the final. Their victory came ahead of Canada’s Simon Gauthier-Hansen and Juliette Mireault, while Switzerland’s Fabrice Beney and Laurence Jeanneret-Berruex completed the podium with silver.

Italy found gold in Ju-no-Kata seniors, while Switzerland added a valuable silver medal.

Spain also featured among the medal-winning nations, earning a bronze, as did Hong Kong, China. Those results helped reinforce the international quality of the event, even on a day largely shaped by the home side.

In senior Nage-no-Kata, the United States pair Joshua Lehmen and Roy Tuua took gold after edging a competitive Canadian field. That result prevented a complete Canadian sweep of the senior divisions and showed how tight the margins were in some of the headline categories.

Across the full event, the mix of nations on the tatami reflected the growing reach of kata within judo. Athletes from Canada, the United States, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Hong Kong, China and the IJF were part of a day that balanced competition with the educational and technical heritage of the sport.

For Canada, Laval was more than a successful home event. It was a statement of strength in kata, built not only on medals but on presence across nearly every discipline. For Europe, Italy’s gold and Switzerland’s silver ensured they remained part of the day’s biggest moments too.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation