“I wanted them to experience the whole process of competing at an international event — the preparation, weighing in the day before, time management, being supportive of each other, competing at Olympic Park, experiencing the four-mat competition area.”
She said the girls performed well on and off the mat and she hoped they would be hungry for more experiences of this type.
“Both Holly and Ella competed in the senior girls’ u52kg division and eventually had to fight each other for the bronze which Ella took out.
“Holly was asked to compete in a separate division (u48kg) as numbers were low and walked away with a silver medal.
“Sydnee Andrews, at 14 years of age, won the senior women’s over-78kg division.
“This was a really good effort, and a feather in her cap before she heads into the national judo championships, where she will be entered in four divisions.”
The girls are part of a Gisborne Judo Club squad training for the national championships being held in late September/early October.
