By BC Games News Service Reporter Fran Tupper
Competition in judo is heating up at the 2012 BC Winter Games venue at Kalamalka Secondary in Coldstream. With competitions and membership exploding across the province, the sport is generating excitement.
One young athlete who exemplifies the spirit of the Games is Zone 3 competitor Jeff Swadden, 12, from Abbotsford. He dislocated his ankle three weeks ago but still competed and won Gold in the Under 81kg class.
Zone 8's Brandon Slooyer, 16, of Prince George won Gold in the Under 73 kg while Megan Hanks of Kamloops won Gold in the Over 70kg class. The 14-year-old said she became interested because of her father who was in Martial Arts. Her brothers are also involved in the sport and the entire family travels around to competitions.
North West Zone 7 is an example of the increased interest in Judo in the province. At the last BC Winter Games in Terrace the zone sent only one competitor. This year they sent four. Thirteen-year old Simb-Iyez (which means star) and 15-year-old Sa-Yez (which means moon) Wilson from Smithers and two others, all First Nations young people, are in Vernon competing and enjoying the whole experience.