It started with the Australian Judo Cadet Team kicking off in Calgary, Canada a week ago finishing 5th overall at the Pan-American Oceania Championships. The very next day, the Australian Judo Junior Team hitting the mat to secure an entire suite of medals with local Western Australian athlete Jordon Greenbank securing his maiden Pan-American Oceania Title.
The Australian Cadet Team went on to win a Bronze in the Teams event, not something Australia is regularly able to participate in given the number of competitors required to fill a full team.
'What's important is our overall team standing with not only our medal winners gaining points, but our athletes placing 5th and 7th in a very tough sport on an international stage. This is an individual sport, but to feature in the top 5 for each team is a great reward for all involved as we continue to build experience and skill - Maria Pekli GM Performance and Pathways.
If our Senior Team was feeling any pressure from our younger teams, they certainly didn't show it. Our Senior team led by example to show resilience and determination finish a credible 4th on the standings under the guidance of Head Coach Daniel Kelly and Alexander Haecker.
Stand out performances included Katherina Haecker winning back to back Gold in U63kg division. Both Joshua Katz and Aoife Coughlan returning to the medal dias after working hard to overcome injuries with finals appearances, and eventual Silver Medallists. The Bronze medal performances by both Tinka Easton and Maria Swan where described by commentators as 'tough, resilient, and exciting to watch'.
'What ever is happening in Australia and the changes to their National Judo Program are certainly starting to pay off with results' the Canadian Commentary Team stated.
Judo Australia in 2021 partnered with the newly established AIS and Australian Sports Commission funded Combat Institute of Australia. The new High Performance model providing a centralised training facility in Melbourne with essential support through the Victorian Institute of Sport for Categorised Athletes.
'The National Performance centre environment is something only past Performance athletes could only have ever dreamed of. Training in a full time High Performance Judo environment with the flow on effect to our Cadets and Juniors only just starting to gather momentum.'
'Whilst some athletes are building towards Paris, other have sights of LA, and more importantly Brisbane. We are building a centralised system to assist everyone in going one step closer to their dream.' - Beck Hamilton - CEO Judo Australia.
For further information, photos or vision
Contact: Beck Hamilton - CEO | bhamilton@ausjudo.com.au | +61 0421 805 745 o | r
M
M
M