Members of judo Yukon returned from their first Outside tournament of the season with plenty in tow.
Yukon’s Daniel Tonner and Hannah King fought to a gold and silver medal at the Steveston Judo Tournament on Saturday in Richmond, B.C.
The team also returned with plenty of motivation to get even better, said Judo Yukon head coach Bianca Ockedahl.
“I was happy with what I saw today. I saw the improvements in everyone,” said Ockedahl, in a news release. “I think everyone fought hard and well today and they are all coming back with more motivation to do even better at the next one. It is a good tournament for us and we will bring more competitors next year. Now, we will go home and work on a few things before the next tournaments and training camps.”
Tonner won four straight matches to win gold in the under-12 division. The yellow-orange belt also opened the season with a pair of silvers at the Golden Horn Judo Championships in Yukon last month.
“I fought good and even though I won gold, I still have some things to work on,” said Tonner in the release.
King claimed silver despite fighting up a category. She went 2-1 to claim silver in the U16 under-63 kilo division.
“I think my tournament went well and it was fun. I fought great,” said King.
Also representing Yukon were brothers Jacob and Shayne Melanson, both of whom fought in new divisions.
Jacob, 16, competed in U18 under-66 kilos - instead of 60 kilos - and went winless in four bouts.
Shayne, who jumped to U16 under-73 kilos, from under-66 kilos last year, went 0-2.
“It is a new weight category and they are stronger,” said Shayne. “I’m going home with some experience and knowledge on what I need to work on before the next tournament. I am motivated to make it to the top of the podium.”
Jacob, who is a brown belt in Whitehorse’s Shiroumakai Judo Club, is in line to represent Yukon at the Canada Winter Games this February in Prince George, B.C. It will be the first time Yukon competes in judo at the Games since Whitehorse hosted in 2007.
“I think it’s going to be awesome, a great experience and I can’t wait to go,” Jacob said in a recent interview with the News.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com