Christa Deguchi (出口 クリスタDeguchi Christa, born 29 October 1995) is a Japanese-born Canadian judoka.[2] She is the reigning Olympic champion in the women's 57 kg event, after winning gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Her victory made her the first ever Canadian to win gold in judo at the Olympics.[3][4]
Though competing for Canada, Deguchi still lives and trains in Shiojiri, Japan.[5][6]
Early life
Deguchi was born in Japan to a Canadian father and Japanese mother.[7] Her younger sister Kelly Deguchi was born shortly after, and is also a judoka for Canada.[8]
Career
In 2012, Deguchi was first approached to represent Canada in judo. She competed for Japan at the time and refused to switch. Realizing her best bet to make the Olympics would be competing for Canada, Deguchi eventually agreed to represent Canada in 2017.[9][10]
Deguchi participated at the 2018 World Judo Championships, winning a bronze medal. This made her the first female judoka representing Canada to win a World Judo Championships medal.[11][12]
She won her first gold medal in the 2019 world championship
