Brooking Judoka of the Year

JUDOKA OF THE YEAR: Bevan Brooking, pictured with some of his awards and trophies from the year, is Gisborne Judo Club Judoka of the Year. The award was announced at the club's prize-giving. Picture by Liam Clayton

BEVAN Brooking is Gisborne Judo Club’s Judoka of the Year. Brooking, a 24-year-old local police constable, has been a member of the club for 16 years.

He is also a member of East Ocean Jiu Jitsu, and coaches from both codes agree that Brooking is hard-working and disciplined.

His goal for 2015 was to compete in judo or jiu jitsu competitions or do a training camp each month. He felt he fell short this year, but his highlight was taking double gold at the North Island Judo Championships — in the under-81-kilogram and the open events.

Brooking also medalled at six other events in judo or jiu jitsu. Asked to name his favourite part of judo, Brooking said, “Everything. I like all of it”.

Goals for 2016 are to continue with his aim of taking part in a competition or training camp each month, in either judo or jiu jitsu, and also to compete in an international event.

Brooking is looking ahead to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban, South Africa, where judo will be included in the programme.

He was named Gisborne Judo Club’s Judoka of the Year at the club’s end-of-year competition and prize-giving.

Special guest for the day was Brian Cloynes, 8th Dan, from Dunedin.

Cloynes has been in judo for over 60 years. He came to New Zealand from England in the early 1970s. At that time he was a 4th Dan and five-time British national champion.

He was a judo coach at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, served as national technical director and Judo NZ board member, and for many years was senior Judo NZ coach.

Still active with his own club in Dunedin, Cloynes was impressed by the depth and quality of judo in Gisborne.

Gisborne Judo Club’s committee thanked members, club coaches, travelling coaches, parents and sponsors for their support.

End-of-year club championships —

Peewees — Lightweight boys: Isaac Proudfoot 1; Taika Clelland Pottie 2.

Middleweight boys: Paren Richards 1; Taye McGuiness 2; Corey Carpendale 3.

Heavyweight boys: Taran Wilson 1.

Peewee boys, open: Taran Wilson 1; Cobyn Wilson 2; Tayne McGuiness, Peran Richards equal 3.

Peewee girls: Cleo Parkin 1; Ellie Jones-Boyd 2; Arwin Scott 3.

Peewee girls, open: Cleo Parkin 1; Ellie Jones-Boyd 2; Arwin Scott 3.

Junior boys, yellow: Safin Tuawairua-Brown 1; Ethan Wong 2; Brandon Reynolds, Jackie Chan equal 3.

Junior boys, blue division: Sam Florence 1; Elijah Koti 2; Jasper Florence 3.

Junior boys, orange division: Quaydon Kora 1;Sol O’Connor 2; Braden Sycamore 3.

Junior boys, green division: Oakley Brown Terekia 1; Rio Tasmania 2; Christian Beach 3.

Junior boys, open:Elijah Koti 1; Sam Florence 2; Quaydon Kora, Jasper Florence equal 3.

Senior boys, under-36 kilograms: Liam Mackay 1; Connor White 2; Alex Stoltz 3.

Senior boys, u40kg: Toby White 1; Elijah Moore 2.

Senior boys, u50kg: Jacob Wyllie 1; Kyran Russell 2; Kyan Scott 3.

Senior boys, u55kg: Mikaere Marino Moore 1; Jack Dixon Smith 2.

Senior boys, lightweight open: Mikaere Marino Moore 1; Isaac Kinder 2; Jack Dixon Smith 3.

Senior boys, heavyweight open: Rueben Hiko 1; Mitchell Honey 2.

Junior girls, lightweight: Maddie Richards 1; Jasmine Kelso 2; Sky Ahuriri-Milner 3.

Junior girls, middleweight: Kya Thornicroft 1;Scarlett Wyllie 2.

Junior girls, open: Ruby Hart 1; Kya Thornicroft 2.

Senior girls, u35kg: Indah Abbott 1; Vita Anderson 2.

Senior girls, over-35kg: Miah Watson 1; Ella Kelso 2.

Cadets: Tom Mackenzie 1; Caleb Jones King 2; Jake Wheeler 3.

Senior men, open: Tony Carpendale 1; Tom Mackenzie 2; Caleb Jones King, Stephen Honey equal 3.

Senior women, open: Sydnee Andrews 1; Erin Sycamore 2; Anna Richards 3.

Awards —

Most Improved Girl: Kya Thornicroft.

Most Improved Boy: Sol O’Connor.

Most Improved Beginner: Kyran Russell.

Most Improved Senior Male: Andrew Reid.

Most Improved Senior Female: Sally Wall.

Incentive Award: Tom Mackenzie.

Most Outstanding Player: Reuben Hiko.

Junior Player of the Year: Reuben Hiko.

Peewee of the Year: Cleo Parkin.

Judoka of the Year: Bevan Brooking.