Sports High Schools offering specialist Judo programs top the medals table at the Australian Open Schools Championship
Australia’s peak competition for school-aged students has demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist Judo programs offered as part of the curriculum at sports high schools.
Maria Pekli, Judo Australia’s General Manager of Performance & Pathways, said the students enrolled in these specialist programs had regular access to some of the top coaches in the country – and the results were telling. Two of the National team coaches double as Judo Program coaches at sports high schools in Sydney and Melbourne.
Most successful on the day, with three gold medals, a silver and a bronze, was The Hills Sport High School, led by Judo Program Coach (and dual Judo Olympian) Nathan Katz.
The Hills Sports High Judo Program medallists at the Australian Open Schools Championships: Alice Lee, Abbey Cook, Lochlan Cook and Tugs-erdene Turtogt.
Among his students were brother and sister duo Lochlan Cook and Abbey Cook, who each won gold in their respective divisions, as well as Alice Lee, who won gold in the Young Women’s U57kg category as well as silver in the U15 Girls (with the gold going to Devon Metzger-Feki).
In Victoria, CombatAus National Program Coach Emilien Freund also leads the Judo program at Maribyrnong College’s Maribyrnong Sports Academy.
Of the Maribyrnong students, Luis Maddalozzo claimed gold in the Young Men’s U90kg division, while Gabriel Talledo took bronze and George Garcia claimed fifth place.
Also a student at Maribyrnong College but not competing was Akos Kelly, who is currently ranked 14th in the world in both Juniors and Cadets age divisions.
“One of the great things about the Schools Championships is that it offers a less overwhelming experience for those who might have been nervous about stepping up to National level before. Yes, some of our young judoka will be more experienced, but the only way to get competition experience is to step up to competition, and this is a great place to start. And you might win a medal to take home and show your school that everyone should be studying judo!” said Maria Pekli.
Full results for the Australian Open Schools Championships are available at Judo Manager: Young Men, Young Women, Under 15 Boys, Under 15 Girls, Under 13 Boys, Under 13 Girls, Under 11 Boys, Under 11 Girls.
