Gisborne dominates championship

ON THE MATS: Gisborne judoka were smiling after their impressive performance over the Queen’s Birthday weekend. The winners, back (from left): Sensei Jason King, Luca Alexander, Shae Abbott-Ragget, (Behind) John MacKay, Miro O’Neill, Lucas Nicol, Gary MacKenzie, Johan Jacobs, Sydnee Andrews, Tim Brew. (Middle): Coen Brown, Tahi O’Neill, Cameron Alexander, Alex Mackay, Shelby Kirkpatrick, Cleo Parkin, Allie Jones-Boyd, Isla Jacobs. (Front): Cahsyn Brown, Mitchell Spriggs, Liam Nicol, Harvey Parkin, Amelia Gibb, Macy Jacobs, Zara Kirkpatrick. Picture supplied

JUDO

GISBORNE Judo Club were the big winners at the Waikato Bays Area Championship, winning seven golds as part of their 18-medal haul over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Judo club head coach Jason King said they usually do well at the event, which is typically a big tournament that attracts dojos from the upper and lower North Island and competitors from the South Island.

The club sent 24 athletes to compete in the first major competition for them since Covid-19 put a halt on competition over a year ago.

King said several judoka impressed him, particularly Liam Nicol in the U28kg boys and Harvey Parkin in the U32kg boys. Both won gold medals in their division in their first time competing at an out-of-town competition.

Zara Kirkpatrick in the U36kg senior girls and Cahsyn Brown in the U36kg junior girls were also impressive. Brown was right on the border of two weight categories and had to fight girls who were a lot bigger than her, said King. Kirkpatrick, a former national champion at the junior level, showed maturity in her step up into the senior age-grade (11-14 years old) this year.

King said judo is a great sport for young children to learn discipline and skills they can take into their adult life.

“You start to understand a little, and you want to get better and excel. There’s a lot of goals in judo.

“Parents have said ‘what have you done to my kid, they’re better at home and at school,’ and all I say is that I teach judo.”