To Quote Jigaro Kano: “Where there is effort there is achievement.” Our club had a very achievement-filled year with real growth and development as Judoka. Looking forward to more in the fall.
April Gradings:
- to Orange: Tanner Dron
- to Orange/Yellow: Brenden Houston, Elise Armitage, Connor Hancharyk, Jesse Kreutzer
- to Yellow with Black stripe for Participation: Corbin Hancharyk
- to White with Yellow stripe: Caleb Wolfe, Brock Dron, Caleb Anderson, Tanner Bajus
- to White with Black stripe for Participation: Zane Paupanekis
Special Awards:
Most Improved Student 2017-18: Jesse Kreutzer
Most Outstanding Student for 2017-18: Riley Jorgensen
Southwest Judo Club executive for 2017-18: Michael Bergman; Sensei, Club President.
Candace Kreutzer: Club Secretary/ Parent Director
Nicole Miller: Virden Parent Director
Melissa Hancharyk: Parent Director
“A Medal Day” in Portage
The Southwest Judo Club had a very productive competition in Portage la Prairie on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
As an instructor, I use competition as a real world test of my teaching. That weekend I was rewarded by everyone having a medal day.
With everyone competing in their correct age and weight divisions I saw real progress and athlete development. A lot of the matches were so even that they had to be decided by referee evaluation. I, with their parents and our community, can be very proud of their achievement.
James Kreutzer; silver -50kg U16.
Riley Jorgensen; Silver -50kg U12.
Tanner Dron; Silver -39kg U12.
Brenden Houston -36kg U10 and Jesse Kreutzer -31, 29Kg combined U10 were given silver awards for their efforts. This is the last competition for these athletes this season.
Kenora Competition
The Southwest Judo Club attended the Lake of the Woods Open in Kenora Ont. April 7.
Riley Jorgensen had an awesome day winning Gold in the U14 -50kg, having won all except one match by Ippon (the loss causing a rematch due to true double elimination style tournament), winning his last match in five seconds. Having 6 matches during the day he used both standing and ground techniques to win.
Jesse Kreutzer competing in the U10 -36kg Yellow and Orange division had a very successful day as well. Having five matches he showed great skill and was throwing very nicely in the participation style (Ontario “Fair Play Rules”) tournament.
Other athletes attending had very tough days: both Tanner Dron and Brenden Houston had to fight U14 and up one weight category. Both were attacking but were just up against superior competitors.
Dominic Paupanekis fought up in weight in the U14 -66 /+66 kg. While his attempts were strong he was ground held in his matches. James Kreutzer, while trying hard, was thrown hard and I withdrew him from competition for safety sake.
