麻豆社区

Two Yukon judokas competed on the country's biggest stage last Saturday, when the Canadian Judo Championships were held in Richmond, B.C.

Aaron Jensen and Sandy Neumann performed in the Kata class, an exercise completed with a partner to demonstrate skill in technique.

The local duo finished last in both of their events.

In the Katame No Kata event, an illustration of grappling technique, the two picked up 311 points from the panel of five judges. The two judokas were required to perform 15 movements properly, and at a standard pace.

In the Ju No Kata event, one designed to showcase the principles of the sport such as ju (gentleness), the duo scored 261 points. This event sees one judoka work as a uke (Neumann) and the other as a tori (Jensen). This means Jensen was the athlete completing the techniques on Neumann.

"We didn't place, but considering the competition, it was OK,鈥� Neumann explained to the Star yesterday.

Neumann said he and Jensen had to scramble to be ready for the Ju No Kata event.

"If we could have practiced our routine in the airplane aisle, we would have,鈥� he chuckled.

Regardless of the results, Neumann said competing at nationals was a good experience.