MONTREAL - Olympic bronze medallist Antoine Valois-Fortier will lead Canada's judo team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Valois-Fortier, form Quebec City, will be looking for his second Olympic podium finish after taking bronze in the men's under-18-kilogram event at the 2012 London Games. It was Canada's first Olympic judo medal in 12 years.
"I am happy and proud to once again represent the country at the Olympics. But pride aside, I am really going to Rio to perform," Valois-Fortier said in a statement. "I am feeling a bit of pressure this time, but much of it comes from within.
"I have a great entourage and that is what gives me confidence going forward. I am in good shape and good health, which is the most important thing in my opinion."
Valois-Fortier will be joined in Rio by seven other athletes, including Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard of Saint-Hubert, Que. Beauchemin-Pinard is coming off a silver medal performance in the women's under-57 kg event at the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games.
The other athletes are: Antoine Bouchard, Jonquiere, Que., (men's under-60 kg); Ecaterina Guica, La Prairie, Que., (women's under-52 kg); Arthur Margelidon, Montreal (men's under-73 kg); Sergio Pessoa Jr., Montreal (men's under-60 kg); Kyle Reyes, Toronto (men's under-100 kg) and Kelita Zupancic, Whitby, Ont., (women's under-70 kg).
