Budokan talent and support at Oceania Judo Championships
On 13th to 15th August 2010, six Budokan athletes represented Australia at the 2010 Oceania Continental Union Judo Championships in Canberra. For competitors in the Senior category, it represented a significant opportunity to acquire valuable 2012 Olympic Games qualification points. For the Cadets and Junior Men/Women, it provided an opportunity to establish their credentials in our continental union for future international representation. Performances from our club's National Team representatives was really fantastic with the following results:
1 x Gold Medal and 3 Silver Medals
Individual results were:
Nathan Katz (Cadets U/55kg) Gold Medal
Jessica Klajman (Cadets U/70kg ) No Division Contested (Accepted an offer to compete in Junior Women)
Hamish McDougall (Cadets U/73kg) Unplaced
Vanessa Hall (Junior Women U/57kg) Silver Medal
Jessica Klajman (Junior Women U/70kg) Unplaced
Nathan Katz (Junior Men U/55kg) Silver Medal
Jake Young (Junior Men U/60kg) Silver medal
Shaun McDougall (Junior Men U/90kg) Unplaced
Patrick Waite (Senior Men U/81kg) First Reserve - did not compete
The event ran really well although for the major event in the OJU, the selection of venue was disappointing. The President of the IJF Marius Vizer, attended the OJU Congress which preceded the competition and also the first day of competition (Cadets and Junior Men and Women) and commented that the Judo talent in the OJU region shows great potential. Participating countries included: Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Samoa, Marianas (Guam), Vanuatu, American Samoa, PNG, Tonga, Fiji and New Caledonia.
In addition to the 5 families of the above competing Budokan athletes attending the event, it was really terrific that 4 other families of club members stayed with us at the Novotel (our new preferred accommodation of choice in Canberra) and helped in true Budokan spirit to lift the athletes on their competition day. Thanks so much to the Leishmans, de Bruines, Edwards, and McIndoes.
Congratulations to medallists Vanessa, Nathan, and Jake. To Jessica, Hamish and Shaun who didn't medal (and this also applies to the medallists), you have represented Australia and have proven your ability to get to that level. Time and dedication are the only things required to move to the next level and we have no doubt that you all will do exactly that. In particular, it was great to see Shaun McDougall, currently preparing for the HSC able to compete, demonstrating a fine example of study / sport balance, and Jess taking up the option to play Junior Women because of the lack of competitors in her Cadet division.
It is also noteworthy that the 3 Budokan athletes, Nathan, Jake, and Shaun selected to compete at the Junior World Championships in Morocco Africa later this year, have elected not to compete at that event. As previously mentioned, all are ranked #2 and therefore unfunded despite the OJU result. In the case of Shaun, the HSC takes precedence. In the case of Nathan and Jake, both believe that they will be more competitive next year and aim for that level of representation in 2011. Congratulations on your maturity in making this difficult decision. We look forward to supporting your achievement of your next goals. We will continue to fundraise in anticipation of a number of athletes likely to be selected for international events next year.
Kerrye and Rob