Date of birth: December 31, 1996
Weight division: 63 kg – Height: 5’4”
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Residence: Montreal, Quebec
Judo Club: Ajax Budokan Judo Club – Province : Ontario
Training place: Judo Canada National Training Centre
National Team Coach: Janusz Pawłowski
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Bronze Medallist (57 kg)
- 2021 World Champion (57 kg)
- 3-time World Championships Bronze medallist (2022,2023,2024) (57 kg)
- Gold Medallist at IJF World Masters 2023 (57 kg)
- 8-time Grand Slam Gold medallist (57 kg)
- 2017 – Pan-American Champion (57 kg)
- 2013 – Cadet World Champion (52 kg)
Born in Whitby, Ontario, she started practising Judo after seeing her father, himself a judoka, in action. She comes from the renowned Ajax Budokan Club under the leadership of Kevin Doherty. She continued her development at the Toronto Regional Training Centre created in 2012 under the supervision of Pedro Guedes, then Provincial Coach.
In 2013, at the U18 World Championships in Miami, she became the first Canadian ever to win the title of World Champion. In October 2016, she moved to Montreal to continue her training at the National Training Centre. In 2017, she won her first medal at a Grand Slam, finishing 3rd in Ekaterinburg, and continued to attain success internationally. In 2018, she won three medals at Grand Prix and became the first Canadian in history to win the prestigious Osaka Grand Slam. She also won the bronze medal at the IJF World Masters (invitation-only tournament).
In 2019 and 2020, Jessica continued her remarkable ascent on the international scene. 2021 was her best year yet—she became World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist. Jessica’s remarkable consistency enabled her to add three more bronze medals at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 World Championships.
With the new Olympic cycle underway, Jessica made the move up to the -63 kg category, embracing a fresh set of challenges. She quickly proved herself in this new division by capturing gold at the 2025 Grand Slam in Baku.
For the entire list of Jessica’s results, please consult her JudoInside page