OTTAWA - (May 21, 2026) - Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) and Judo Canada are proud to announce the athletes who will represent Team Canada in judo at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, taking place July 23 to August 2, 2026.
The Canadian team features a strong blend of experienced veterans and emerging international talent, including two returning Commonwealth Games athletes in Kyle Reyes and Coralie Godbout. Reyes captured a silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, while Godbout returns after a fifth-place finish in her Commonwealth Games debut.
“Judo has a proud history of success for Team Canada at the Commonwealth Games, and this group reflects both the depth of experience and the exciting future of the sport in our country,” said Kelly Laframboise, Director, Team Canada 2026. “From seasoned leaders like Kyle Reyes and Coralie Godbout to athletes preparing for their first major Games experience, this team embodies resilience, ambition, and the spirit of representing Canada on the international stage. We look forward to watching them compete with pride in Glasgow.”
Team Highlights:
The women’s team is led by Coralie Godbout (-78 kg), who continues to rise on the international stage following a career-best fifth-place finish at an IJF Grand Slam event in Kazakhstan. Godbout has also earned two bronze medals on the IJF World Tour and enters Glasgow ranked No. 15 in the world in her category.
“I am very happy to have the opportunity to compete in the Commonwealth Games for a second time,” said Coralie Godbout. “My participation in the last edition taught me a lot, and I am coming back with even more experience and confidence. After finishing so close to the podium last time, I am motivated to improve on that performance and achieve an even better result.”
Laurence Biron (-63 kg), Charlie Thibault (-70 kg), Evelyn Beaton (-52 kg) and Heidi Quach (-48 kg) will each make their Commonwealth Games debut as part of a young and talented Canadian squad.
The men’s team is headlined by veteran Kyle Reyes (-100 kg), who brings extensive international experience, including representing Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, winning silver at the 2022 World Championships, and capturing a Junior World title in 2013.
Reyes returns to competition following back surgery and will use the Games as part of his journey toward qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.
Justin Lemire (-73 kg), currently ranked No. 19 in the world, will compete at his first Commonwealth Games after establishing himself as one of Canada’s top international judokas.
“I am really happy and proud to have the opportunity to compete in my first Commonwealth Games,” said Justin Lemire. “It is a unique experience and an important milestone in my career. Major Games are always something special, and I am really looking forward to sharing this experience with the team.”
The men’s team also includes Julien Frascadore (-66 kg), Guillaume Gaulin (-90 kg), and John Messe A Bessong (+100 kg).
“The Commonwealth Games are a unique opportunity to represent Canada on the international scene for a major Games,” said coach Antoine Bouchard. “For some members of our team, it will be a first experience of this kind. Despite this, we have a very experienced team, and we believe in their potential to win a lot of medals.”
Judo competitions at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, will be held for the final three days of the 2026 Commonwealth Games from July 31 to August 2, 2026, at the Scottish Exhibition Campus (SEC). This will be the sixth time the sport has been on the program, since it was introduced as a demonstration sport in 1986, and made official at the next edition in 1990 initially classified as an optional sport until 2014 before becoming a core sport from 2022 onwards. The competition will cover the following weight categories:
- Men's Events (7): -60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, +100kg
- Women's Events (7): -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, -78kg, +78kg
Glasgow 2026 will include 10 sports, including six Para sports. The Commonwealth Games are the only multi-sport event that feature equal standing for sport and para-sport events. Up to 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories from across the Commonwealth will compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games over 11 days of competition across the city of Glasgow.
The Judo Team Representing Canada at Glasgow 2026 includes:
Athletes:
| First | Last | Hometown | Event | Previous Commonwealth Games |
| Julien | Frascadore | Beauport, QC | -66 kg | |
| Justin | Lemire | Rawdon, QC | -73 kg | |
| Guillaume | Gaulin | Val d’Or, QC | -90 kg | |
| Kyle | Reyes | Brampton, ON | -100 kg | Birmingham 2022 – Silver |
| John | Messe A Bessong | Laval, QC | +100 kg | |
| Heidi | Quach* | Montreal, QC | -48 kg | |
| Evelyn | Beaton | Lethbridge, AB | -52 kg | |
| Laurence | Biron | Varennes, QC | -63 kg | |
| Charlie | Thibault | Pierreville, QC | -70 kg | |
| Coralie | Godbout | Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, QC | -78 kg | Birmingham 2022 |
Coaches:
| Position | First | Last | Hometown |
| Coach | Antoine | Bouchard | Jonquière, QC |
| Coach | Erika | Miranda | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Therapist | Juliette | Gallant | Montréal, QC |
ABOUT TEAM CANADA 2026
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in a celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 153 athletes, including one guide, 82 team officials and 19 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
ABOUT JUDO CANADA
Judo Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of judo in Canada and has overall authority to provide leadership in promotion and development as well as govern all aspects of Judo in Canada and to select and prepare Canadian teams for international competition. Judo Canada is a not-for-profit Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Association operating under a board of directors elected by provincial / territorial members. To lead and inspire the continued excellence in Canadian Judo.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SPORT CANADA
Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC supports Canada’s athletes to achieve excellence at Olympic and Paralympic Games and world championships and enriches the lives of youth across the Commonwealth and hosts the Commonwealth Games. For additional information go to: www.commonwealthsport.ca .
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Kenny
Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2022
Email: [email protected]
613 724 7160
Émilie-Claude Leroux
Communications Coordinator – Judo Canada
Email: [email protected]
514 984-7357
