Since September 2011, every Monday and Thursday 18 to 22 junior beginners and 20 to 30 advanced judokas are practicing enthusiastically the sport of judo at the Debbie Seel Centre.
In October 2011, Marcia Paget went to the B.C Championships in Abbotsford and became B.C. Champion in her weight category.
Karen Sharp trained very diligently on her kata and went in early December to the kata examination in Steveston. Sharp successfully passed and received her Ni-dan (second black belt). She also has her level two in the National Coaching Certification Program, and is now a fully qualified club coach.
On January 28 the Fernie Judo Club celebrated its 25th anniversary and hosted an Invitational Judo Tournament. The Invermere Judo Club had 13 athletes competing out of the 118 contestants who were registered. For some judokas it was their first tournament. They were nervous, but they gave their best. Some of the advanced judokas showed their skills, as the results show, returning with four bronze medals, one silver, seven gold medals and one best sportmanship diploma.
It was impressive to watch some of the matches. There were great throwing techniques and hold downs were applied. The results are as follows:
Best Sportsmanship: Cael Elford
Bronze medals: Graycen Oliver, Gage Martin, Tyson Hagen and Holliss Babich
Silver medal: Edwin Redhead
Gold medals: Mackenzie Dubois, Hayden Johnson, Lucas Nickel, Graham Norquay, Benjamen Oliver, Marcia Paget and Cassia Riches
Mackenzie Dubois will also represent the club at the B.C. Winter Games in the 48 kg division.
The Invermere tournament is planned for April 21. Keep up the spirit and see you on the tatame.
