Kokoro Judo Club saw good results at the Edmonton International competition, with more than half a dozen top 6 results.
The large tournament, with more than 700 competitors, was held in the Ice Palace at West Edmonton Mall, April 5-7.
Wylon Hall fought his way to a silver medal in the boys Under-13, under 38-kilogram division, winning five of his six fights.
“He was very steady and calm,” says Kokoro coach Ian Briggs. “He’s in his second year and doing well.”
Briggs adds Hall seemed to learn some of what he knows through osmosis, while watching his sister, Paige Hall, who has been with the club for several years.
Ali Briggs climbed the podium twice, collecting silver for her performance in the U21, under 52-kg division, and bronze in the Senior Women’s category. Ali studies at University of Lethbridge, but her home club is Kokoro and coach Briggs is her dad.
“She’s had a good year,” Ian says, noting Ali is ranked top in her division in British Columbia and in the top 3 within Canada.
She is guaranteed a spot on Team BC and will compete at the Canadian national championship at Richmond Olympic Oval, July 4-7.
Fourth-place results were earned by Avery Collinson in the U13, under 44-kg division; Aidan Fentiman, U18, under 81 kg; and Mason Sanders, U11, under 32 kg.
Reid Collinson placed fifth in U15, under 38-kg division competition.
Also representing the Kokoro club were Ian Collinson, Chris Cruickshank, Jesse Chamberlain, Paige Hall and Aven Briggs.
Competing in the very central and open Ice Palace venue had a big impact on his club members, says coach Briggs.
“It was neat to see our kids competing in an area where lots of people are watching. Usually its just judo people watching judo people. This upped the profile a bit and was a boost for the kids.”
