麻豆社区

An 18-member Judo Yukon team returned home from the Edmonton International Judo Championships with a medal haul that left coaches feeling "very pleased.鈥�

The event, which featured more than 700 competitors from across the world, took place in the Ice Palace at West Edmonton Mall April 5 to 7.

The event was split into three categories, beginning with kata competition Friday night, U-13 and U-15 action Saturday morning, and U-9 and U-11 battles all day Sunday.

The local medal haul started early with Aaron Jensen and Sandy Neumann capturing bronze for their performance in the katame-no-kata category, while Dan Poelman and Robert Bellon did not place in the ju-no-kata category but were just happy to compete in this large division.

On Saturday, Hannah King was the star, dominating her fights by scoring full points in each of her matches, and capturing the gold medal in the U-13 girls -48 kg category.

Jadon Leenders battled a tough opponent in the final and settled with a silver, while veterans, Emi Teramura and Paige Poelman fought hard in the repechage to get back on the podium for a well-deserved bronze medal to help the Yukon finish day two with a gold, silver and two bronze.

Also competing were Carcross rookie Darrien James-Tizya and Kaylee Johnson. For both, it marked their Outside tournament debuts. Each fought gallantly but placed out of the medals.

Sunday saw the remaining eight athletes compete, beginning with Aodhan Nowell in the U-9 boys division, and ending with the U-11 boys and girls 鈥� Eban Basnett, Jerome Hoeden, Cassie Jensen, Kaajineek Neumann, Alan Johnson, Tai McCelland, and Scottie James-Shephard.

The majority of Sunday's combatants were rookies and had to contend with nerves, lights and loud noise to listen for

their names being called to be ready on deck in the right mat area (there were four matches going on at the same time).

Despite the distractions, the team showed great discipline and fought well. All eight youngsters were awarded gold medals.

Coaches Aaron Jensen and Dan Poelman with assistant coaches Robert Bellon and Sandy Neumann were very pleased with the team's performance.

They expressed thanks to the parents who helped manage the team members who were not fighting when coaches were on the mats, and cheerleaded well when necessary. Thanks was also expressed to Air North for their support.

The next tournament on the calendar for Judo Yukon is the Yukon Judo Championship at the Canada Games Centre May 4.

The local showdown will be followed by the Alaska State Judo Championship on May 18 in Anchorage.