Local judoka impress at National Tournament and Ranking Event
“Although udo is a fighting sport it has a very strong moral code applied worldwide."
Judo is a very competitive Olympic Sport and good results are the outcome of months and sometimes years of dedicated training.
Doryoku Judo Academy based in Roodekrans had 11 contestants who took part in the SA National Schools Open Judo tournament that took place at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) form Wednesday, October 5 to Friday, October 7.
Judoka took part in Kumite (Fighting) and Kata (Forms) with the kumite divided into Novice and Advanced Divisions.
Winners of the Advanced Division qualified for Judo South Africa Colours, which is the highest award that a judoka of their ages can achieve.
Results:
• Kata (Forms) (Judo South Africa Colours)
Cara Claassen & Anthony Harman placed Second in the Nage No Kata for Judoka aged 12 years and younger.
• Kumite (Fighting Judo)
Novice Division
Kganya Raphela – 3rd in the 9 year Boys under 30kg Divison.
Dalton Seyffert – 1st in the 9 year Boys under 34kg Division.
Emily Harman – 2nd in the girls 9 years under 36kg Division.
Dirko Botha – 1st in the 10 year Boys under 42kg Division.
Alexis Remy – 1st in the girls 10 years under 44kg Division.
Christiaan Olivier – 1st in the 11 year Boys under 42kg Division.
Christiaan Venter – 2nd in the 11 year Boys under 42kg Division.
Advanced Division (Winners get Judo South Africa Colours)
Cara Claassen – 1st in the Girls 10 years plus 44kg Division.
Stephan Agenbach – 1st in the 11 year Boys under 55kg Division.
AJ Schutte – 1st in the 12 year Boys under 60kg Division.
Anthony Harman – 3rd in the 12 year Boys under 42kg Division.
On Saturday, October 8 the judoka aged 13 years and older attended the National Ranking Event.
According to Coach Danie Bruwer, this is a very tough tournament and judoka from all over SA fight for honours at this tournament.
The tournament is used to invite contestants to National Trials in order to be selected for the national teams of various ages.
Five Judoka from Doryoku Judo Academy took part in this tournament and Keegan Marais and Ruan Claassen ages 13 and 14 years both finished in 6th place while Kylie van der Merwe who competed in the 15-17 years age group came first in the ladies 70kg weight.
Janu Malherbe came 1st in the young men category (18-20 years) 81kg while CJ Schutte came 4th in the men’s under 60kg.
Ivan Olivier impressively took 1st place in the men’s under 90kg category and came 2nd in the men’s under 81kg category.
Tegan Malherbe who is now a member of Tuks managed to take 2nd place in the ladies 63kg seniors (age 21 and older) and was placed 1st in the ladies 63kg category.
Coach Bruwer told the Record that he is very proud of his judoka for their impressive achievements that are a true reflection of their hard work.
“Although judo is a fighting sport it has a very strong moral code applied worldwide and it includes courtesy, courage, friendship, honour, honesty, modesty, respect and self-control,” said Coach Bruwer.
Doryoku Dojo is located in Kapiva Street in Roodekrans, members of the community who are interested to start judo are welcome to contact Danie on 072 685 8441 or send him an email on danie@doryoku.co.za.
