Mercier-Ross Takes Silver at Panamerican Judo Open
Canadian judoka Félix Mercier-Ross finished second in the under-73 kg division in Florida, as four other Canadians won bronze on the first day.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Ice Skating
Félix Mercier-Ross won his first three bouts before losing the under-73 kg final to Venezuelan Andres Pariche at the Panamerican Senior Judo Open in Florida. Pariche secured the win with a decisive yuko with less than 15 seconds remaining.
Why it matters
The result gives Canada a strong showing on the opening day of the tournament, with Mercier-Ross's run reaching the final. With 17 Canadian judokas still set to compete on Sunday, the event continues to offer a further chance for Canadian athletes to add to their medal count.
Mercier-Ross won his first three bouts before the final, and Pariche's decisive yuko came with 15 seconds left. The remaining 17 Canadian judokas compete Sunday, and their outcomes are not yet known.
The players
Félix Mercier-Ross
A Canadian judoka who finished second in the under-73 kg division at the Panamerican Senior Judo Open.
Andres Pariche
A Venezuelan judoka who won the under-73 kg title with a decisive yuko in the final.
Judo Canada
The national governing body for judo in Canada, which issued the release on the Canadian results from Montréal.
The details
The under-73 kg final was a back-and-forth contest between Mercier-Ross and Pariche. About a minute before the end, Pariche scored a yuko, after which Mercier-Ross began rushing his attacks. Four other Canadian judokas won bronze medals on the first day, including Catherine Toshkov, Charlie Thibault, Luke Tomson and Eliandre Barriault-Tremblay.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: First day of Panamerican Senior Judo Open competition in Florida, where Mercier-Ross took silver.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: The remaining 17 Canadian judokas compete to wrap up the competition.
Season Trajectory
The Panamerican Senior Judo Open is one of the continental competitions where Canadian judokas measure their form against Pan American rivals. Mercier-Ross's silver and four Canadian bronze medals on the opening day mark a strong start to the competition's Canadian contingent.
Fans following Canadian judo can check final results for the 17 remaining competitors on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The day's results will determine how many medals Canada takes home from the Florida event.
The takeaway
Mercier-Ross's silver shows that Canadian judokas can compete at the top of the under-73 kg division against strong international rivals. Readers following the event should watch Sunday's results for the remaining 17 Canadian athletes.
What happens next
The remaining 17 Canadian judokas compete on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to wrap up the Panamerican Senior Judo Open.
Further reading
For more on competitive results like this, explore Ice Skating coverage on the site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sport Information Resource Centre.
