Gisborne judoka bring back 24 medals

SUCCESSFUL FORAY: Gisborne Judo Club members gather following their return from a successful trip to Rotorua for the Western Bay of Plenty Area Judo Championships. They are, back (from left): Tre McCrae-Marino, Allie Jones-Boyd, Cleo Parkin, Seth Ingoe, Chase Willson, Coen-Theros Brown, Luca Alexander, Corbyn Wilson and Jakahn McCrae-Marino. Middle: Elijah Moore, Sydnee Andrews, Rubi Hart, Kya Thornicroft, Ella Kelso and Kiki Velloza (coach). Front: Lincoln Sycamore, Caleb Jones-King, Bevan Brooking, Tim Brew and Jason King (coach). Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Judo Club members came away from the Western Bay of Plenty Area Judo Championships with nine gold, nine silver and six bronze medals.

Twenty Gisborne athletes were represented in all fighting classes — from juniors to masters — in the Rotorua competition.

Club coaches Jason King and Kiki Velloza were happy with the results but aim to work on areas that need improving in the lead-up to the intermediate and secondary school championships next month.

In the Western Bay of Plenty competition, Tim Brew returned to the competition arena in a different weight category and having moved into the masters class. Brew won two gold medals but had to withdraw from the masters open class because of injury, so missed out on a third.

Sydnee Andrews, taking part in her first competition since a Japan training tour earlier this year, dominated the over-78-kilogram class in the cadet and junior women’s divisions.

Cleo Parkin was similarly superior in the junior girls’ over-36kg and junior girls’ open divisions.

Caleb Jones-King won the junior men’s under-78kg division and collected bronze in the junior men’s open.

Luca Alexander’s debut in the junior boys’ u32kg division was impressive. His first gold medal was almost as bright as the smile on his face.

The consistent Ruby Hart, who is no stranger to the top of the podium, won the senior girls’ u44kg division.

Gisborne Judo Club’s cadet team also got to take part in a national technical and randori (freestyle practice) session, conducted at the Budokan Judo Academy and hosted by Western Bay of Plenty judo area president Paul Kirk.

The club was grateful to all the parents and supporters for their help with arrangements for the trip.

Results — Luca Alexander: junior boys division, gold in under-32kg, bronze in open.

Sydnee Andrews: cadet women, gold in over-78kg, bronze in open; junior women, gold in o78kg.

Tim Brew: senior men, gold in u100kg; masters 30-39 years, gold in o90kg.

Bevan Brooking: senior men, bronze in u73kg.

Coen-Theros Brown: junior boys, silver in u32kg.

Rubi Hart: senior girls, gold in u44kg.

Seth Ingoe: senior boys, bronze in u32kg.

Allie Jones-Boyd: junior girls, silver in o36kg, silver in open.

Caleb Jones-King: junior men, gold in u81kg, bronze in open.

Ella Kelso: cadet women, silver in u57kg.

Thomas Mackenzie: junior men, silver in u81kg, silver in open.

Cleo Parkin: junior girls, gold in u36kg (uncontested), gold in o36kg, gold in open.

Lincoln Sycamore: masters, 40-49, silver in u90kg.

Kya Thornicroft: senior girls, gold in u52kg (uncontested), bronze in open.

Corbyn Wilson: junior boys, silver in u40kg, silver in open.

The club does not count uncontested gold medals in its medal tallies.