By Rob Serrouya, Revelstoke Judo Club
Forty-eight competitors and six black belt coaches from across the Kootenay/Okanagan region came to Revelstoke for a randori – the Japanese word for practice fight in Judo. This was probably the most black belts and students hosted in the 20 year history of the Revelstoke Judo Club.
For about half the competitors it was their first ever judo match, and they got to fight against many competitors from outside their own club. Most of the athletes had three matches each.
Even some adults fought, including Revelstoke’s coach and sensei, Cornelius Suchy, who took on Trennin Lifely of Salmo and Jim Hamilton of Kelowna.
Revelstoke was represented by 19 athletes, ranging in age from five to 14.
Sensei Suchy was very pleased: “We saw some amazing fights today, from the teenagers, but also from the younger competitors,” he said. “Some of them are just five years old and they do stand their ground. We need more of these informal scrimmages. Each coach was thrilled with the opportunity to have so many matches for their athletes. Because of this showing, we’ve been asked to host a larger and formal tournament on April 13 of this year.”
The Revelstoke Judo Club thanked the Revelstoke Legion and City of Revelstoke for helping to sponsor the event.