The Abbotsford Judo Club once again hosted the B.C. Judo Championships and brought 59 of their own athletes to compete on Saturday at the Ag-Rec building at Exhibition Park.

“We are very happy, we sent the largest participation from any club,” said head instructor Tokue Suda.

“For the judo club, it was a great tournament. It was lots of work but it was worth it.”

Abbotsford athletes won 18 gold medals and numerous silver and bronze medals, from ages U-11 to senior divisions. More than 300 athletes took part from all over B.C. and 15 came from other parts of Canada as well as the U.S.

The event was one of three selection tournaments, with the top three finishers from each division qualifying to the nationals to be held at the Richmond Oval next July.

At age 19, Brandon Jobb is one of the shining stars of the Abbotsford Judo Club, and he moved up to the -90kg weight category in senior men’s, and had no trouble taking gold.

“It was a challenge but he didn’t have any problem,” said Suda. “There’s not much competition for him in B.C.”

Suda holds a soft spot for Jobb, who started training with him at the club when he was just four years old.

“He’s very talented and most dedicated to the training.”

Suda is proud of his young protégé’s success and his accomplishments, which also bode well for the club. The next step for Jobb is national and international competition.

Could the Olympics be part of his future?

“That’s my hope, but it’s all up to him,” added Suda.

Two local athletes, Tyler Wakita and Cole Yodogawa, moved up to fight in an older category and both earned medals. Wakita won silver in the senior men’s -81kg class.

“We hoped he’d do well,” said Suda. “The second place was a surprise and we were very happy with the result.”

At 16, Yodogawa won bronze in the -66kg senior men’s division.

“All three went to nationals last year; it was a continuation of the effort and the training,” added Suda.

Gold medalists from the Abbotsford Judo Club include: Nicholas Rabinovitch, U-11; Shane Fowlstone, U-11, Byron Edwardson, U-13; Sher Sidhu, U-13; Thane Timmerman, U-13; Ethan Rasmussen, U-13; Leo Goldberg, U-15 juvenile men -46kg; Mitchell Wolfe, U-15 juvenile men -55kg; Parmvir Waring, U-15 juvenile men novice; Leo Goldberg, U-18 cadet men -46kg; Connor Jones, U-18 cadet men -60kg; Cole Yodogawa, U-18 cadet men -66kg; Tyler Wakita, U-20 junior men -81kg; Jeff Swadden, U-20 junior men -100kg; Sam Cleary, senior men novice medium; Josh Lee, senior men intermediate -73kg; Hannah de Bruin, senior women novice medium; Brandon Jobb, senior men -90kg.

Silver medals went to: Kevin Buitendyk, U-11; Teddy Kewin, U-11; Jordan McFarlane, U-11; Willow Burgess, U-11; Jake Primrose, U-13; Adam Borg, U-13; Karissa Comeau, U-13; Parmvir Waring, U-15 juvenile men -42kg; Connor Slooyer, U-15 juvenile men -46kg; Harman Waring, U-15 juvenile women -48kg; Rebecca Potvin, U-15 juvenile women -63kg; Simren Brar, U-18 cadet men -46kg; Mitchell Wolfe, U-18 cadet men -55kg; Brandon Slooyer, U-18 cadet men -73kg; Jeff Swadden, U-18 cadet men +81kg; Kieran Yodogawa, U-20 junior men -73kg; Coletin Thomas, senior men novice medium; Greg Laslo, senior men intermediate -66kg; Blossom de Bruin, senior women novice medium; Amy Lewko, women’s exhibition; Rady Detchev, senior men -66kg; Tyler Wakita, senior men -81kg.

Bronze medals were won by: Spencer Cyr, Dylan Comeau, Kaden Danyliuk, David Ens, Kiyomi Evans, all U-11; Marcus Rauch, Turner Cyr, Rowan Bridger, Alexandre Caron, Dante Coates and Devan Beattie, all U-13; Mntaj Brar, U-15 juvenile women -40kg; Connor Slooyer, U-18 cadet men -46kg; Melina Potvin, U-18 cadet women -63kg; Dakota Frego, men novice medium heavy; Crystal Salter, senior women novice medium; Cole Yodogawa, senior men -66kg and Daniel Hutchings, senior men -81kg.

Nov. 3 – 4 the Abbotsford Judo Club welcomes Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Antoine Valois-Fortier, of Quebec, here for a two-day free clinic. On Saturday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., he will teach a class for Abbotsford Judo Club members only. On Sunday, there will be an open class for anyone to attend: 10 a.m. – noon for 14 years and older; 1 – 2 p.m. for ages 8 - 13. All clinics are free. This is a great opportunity for young athletes to see what it takes to compete with the best in the world and to learn techniques with a Canadian Olympic medalist. The club is located at 31410 Maclure Rd., Abbotsford (corner of Maclure and Old Yale roads). See www.abbotsfordjudo.com for more information.

JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com