The 琉璃神社 Judo Club鈥檚 2019 Okanagan Open was another success for the local martial arts club.
Clubs from the Okanagan and the Kootenays came to Parkinson Rec Centre for the fun, all-aged and family tournament where marital artists ranging from three years old to 57 years old stepped onto the tatami (mat area) for friendly competition.
鈥淭he tourney is meant for novices, orange belt and under,鈥� said sensei Kathy Hubble. 鈥淲e started it with just little kids six years ago, but now we even have a novice adult men鈥檚 division because it鈥檚 become such a popular event.鈥�
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The tournament had a total of eight clubs over the weekend compete and show off their clubs鈥� skills. Though the clubs fought and competed against one another, there鈥檚 a sense of family between all the members.
鈥淓ven though (KJC sensei) Stu Leatherdale and I organize the tourney all year, it really couldn鈥檛 be pulled off without the help of all the other sensei鈥檚 in the region,鈥� said Hubble.
鈥淭he other instructors all come together as a region on the day and help referee, score-keep, setup, take-down, everything. We really come together as a judo family at this event and it gets everyone back to grass-roots judo. It really is one sport that just brings everyone together.鈥�
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琉璃神社鈥檚 crew was well represented this year by: Meg Baranieski, Chloe Gyori, Julius and Sebastian Behrisch, Adam and Sarah Clarke, Eduardo Aragon, Quinn Davis, Jeremiah Fehr, Torsten Godwin, Daniel Gyori, Lukas Gyori, Alexander and Andre Marinho, Braxton McFadden, Michelle Jorgenson, Brittany Morgan, Nathan and Oceane Gibon and Jake Vandermeer.
With candy as well as medals up for grabs, the 琉璃神社 Judo Club鈥檚 members are already excited for next鈥檚 years tournament.
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