Bahamian judoka Alexander Strachan secured a bronze medal in the 90-kilogram (kg) division at the Pan American Judo Open in Lima, Peru on June 21, becoming only the second Bahamian to medal at the event after Cynthia Rahming in 2019.

The tournament had 76 judokas from 23 countries competing for coveted qualification spots for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

Strachan defeated Honduran Axel Garcia to secure one of the defining moments of his young career.

“Winning the bronze medal fills me with a mix of excitement and validation,” Strachan told the Nassau Guardian.

“It was a testament to the sacrifices made and the relentless effort put into my training. It also fueled a desire to return next time and strive for even greater accomplishments,” he added.

Strachan’s preparation for the tournament involved consistently attending eight hours of vigorous and grueling training sessions six days per week.

Overcoming nerves proved to be one of the biggest challenges for Strachan during the competition, he admitted.

Strachan then explained that he overcame those nerves through trusting the work that he's put in to prepare for the moment at hand.

“I had to overcome my nerves during the competition,” he said.

“I made up my mind to trust the process and believe in my abilities. That mindset allowed me to perform at my best and overcome any obstacles that came my way,” he added.

From a technical standpoint, Strachan was able to maintain a constant awareness of his and the opponent’s position on the mat, quickly seizing opportunities and execute various foot sweeps.

“I focused on getting my grip first and was always ready to switch positions when necessary,” Strachan explained.

“These strategies played a crucial role in my success and helped me secure the bronze medal,” he added.

Argentina's Mariano Coto Bersier took home the gold medal ahead of Remi Feuillet of Mauritius.