Gabrielle Desforges recently got back from Japan where she was training in judo with other Canadians for 11 days.

Desforges, 18, grew up in the North but now lives and trains in Montreal, thanks to a grant from the N.W.T. government.

Her father is still in Yellowknife and teaches judo. He also used to teach in Iqaluit.

Desforges is heading to Portugal for her first overseas competition in March and hopes to one day make it to the Olympics.