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Smithers Judo throws down at PG Open

The Smithers Judo Club participated at the Prince George Open Judo Tournament April 21 and landed some promising results.
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Judo is one of the oldest form of Martial Art and has grown its following in the northwest.

The Smithers Judo Club participated at the Prince George Open Judo Tournament April 21 and landed some promising results.

With a high level of competition awaiting them in Prince George the Smithers Judoka caught the attention of a number of coaches after posting two first place victories by Jamie Lee Wilson in the 1C division and Joshua Bazil in the 1D division.

“There is some incredible talent here in Smithers,” said coach Bernard Mattie in an email to the Interior News.

“Next season, our aim is to focus exposing the athletes to more tournaments and camps as they have the talent and ability to qualify for the B.C. Provincial Team where they could represent B.C. at the Nationals and eventually the Canada Winter Games in 2015.”

Heath Gagnon placed second in the 1D division followed by Simbi-yez Wilson who achieved a third and fourth place finish in her 8A and B division.

Sheldon Gagnon placed fourth in the 11 division followed by Sa-Yez Wilson in fourth.

The Smithers Judo Club’s next order of business is to focus on qualifying for provincials later this summer so they can attend the Junior National finals at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

After their competition this season, Wilson, Bazil, Gagnon and Kalen Bazil  were all promoted to yellow belt status. While Simbi-yez Wilson and Sheldon Gagnon received their green belts and Sa-Yez Wilson achieved the rank of blue belt.

However the team will first begin Summer training with team B.C.  at the Team B.C. Summer Training Camp Aug. 12-17.