Yukon judoka Jaymi Hinchey came out on top at the Judo Winter Nationals in Azuza, Calif.
The competition was held from Dec. 8 to 10 with Hinchey claiming the top junior women’s spot.
Aaron Jensen, Hinchey’s coach, said after placing fourth out of 16 competitors the day before in the female cadet (born 2006 to 2008) -52 kilogram division, she came back the next day to take the top spot.
This is Hinchey’s first competition outside of Canada. As the only Yukoner participating in the competition, she teamed up with Judo BC to attend.
Before the competition, Hinchey told the News she was excited to compete at the tournament and was looking forward to doing well.
Hinchey said she performed well and was really happy with the outcome.
“I didn’t expect to do this well and am really proud of my results. It was the first outside of Canada tournament I’ve competed at so that brings the challenges of nerves and not knowing about my competitors. It was also the first tournament without my team, and I found it especially hard to go without my sister, Lia, who’s my main training partner and I’m used to being with her all the time. But I definitely overcame it by doing my best to focus on the competition and I had a great experience with Team BC.”
She said Team BC was extremely supportive at the competition.
“I had great coaches that really helped me in the tournament, and the athletes were very inclusive and warmed up with me and really made me feel part of the team.”
Going forward, she said she plans on competing in multiple national tournaments in the upcoming year as well as training camps.
The next event for Hinchey is the 2024 Elite Eight Canadian Nationals, a prestigious tournament run by Judo Canada for the top eight competitors of the U18 and senior categories only. Jensen said the competition will be strictly by invitation.
Jaymi was ranked fifth in Canada for her results in last year’s Canadian circuit and the Canada Winter Games where she competed at the -57kg division and brought home a bronze medal. She has competed across Canada in a number of other judo competitions.
Hinchey’s sister, Lia, was also selected to represent the Yukon for her sixth place ranking in the -63 kg division. Both girls will be in Edmonton for the nationals on Jan. 14 and 15, 2024.
Hinchey is currently a brown belt in Judo, a member of Shiroumakai Judo club, as well as a representative of Judo Yukon’s HP team training out of the Judo Yukon regional training centre in Whitehorse.
“All these trips would not be possible without my coaches, team, parents and funding and support I get,” she said. “I would also like to say a big thank you to Air North’s GOAL program as it has given me the ability to attend and get more experience.”
Contact Patrick Egwu at patrick.egwu@yukon-news.com
