Already an Olympic medallist, judoka Beauchemin-Pinard is hungry for more in Paris

Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard could have moved on from the rigours of competitive judo.

A bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 who also won silver at the 2022 world championships, the 30-year-old has a bachelor's degree in accounting and is on track for a specialized graduate diploma in taxation.

So why endure judo's difficult two-year process to qualify for this summer's Paris Games? Because she simply isn't satisfied yet.

"I'm thinking about a medal, even the gold medal, I won't deny it," she said a few weeks before flying to Paris, where she will be the top seed in the 63-kilogram weight class.

"But the important thing is to focus on the right things. I was able to do that in Tokyo, where I also went for a medal. But after the bronze, I want more."

Beauchemin-Pinard, from Saint-Hubert, Que., is part of a strong Canadian judo team heading to Paris. She joins two-time world champion and 57-kilogram favourite Christa Deguchi, her sister Kelly Deguchi and world 100-kilogram silver medallist Shady El-Nahas, among others.

The judo competitions will take place from July 27 to Aug. 3 at Champ-de-Mars Arena, a spectacular temporary structure built at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Beauchemin-Pinard will be in action on July 30 — and she says she's well-prepared for the occasion.

"Setting goals is one thing, but to achieve them, you have to put in the preparation," she said. "I have more preparation goals so I can arrive at the Games ready, both physically and mentally, rested and ready to fight. That way, I will be able to achieve what I want to achieve."

Beauchemin-Pinard isn't afraid of the pressure of being the top seed in a tournament. She's been in this position before.

"In the first tournaments as the world No. 1,