On the 22nd of August the Honourable Alex Hawke, MP, Federal Member for Mitchell and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, visited Budokan Judo Club located in the Castle Hill Showground. The occasion was to acknowledge the efforts of 38 of the club’s athletes who represented NSW at this year’s National Championships, and to present specially designed club medallions from the Perth Mint to the club’s eight 2017 National Champions. This is a traditional ceremony that commenced in 2006 and since then the club has recognised 280 athletes who have represented NSW and presented medallions to nearly 70 National Champions. Club President and Head Coach Rob Katz said that Budokan is well known to the local and Judo communities to have a significant proportion of its athletes participate in competition which is very important. As an Olympic sport, this high level of participation builds a great foundation for athletes regardless of their goal and prepares athletes for life’s competition.Budokan’s 38 athletes, a quarter of the club’s membership, made up over one quarter of the NSW State Team. In contest divisions, they came away with 24 medals: 6 Gold, 9 x Silver, and 9 x Bronze. Additionally they won 2 Gold a and 1 Silver medal in Kata (forms of Judo). The club is a real family affair and 10 sets of siblings competed with 20 families making the trek to the Gold Coast to lend their support. It was unfortunate that 3 of the club’s National Team members were absent from the ceremony, but for good reason: Nathan and Josh Katz, the club’s 2016 Rio Olympians are in Europe preparing for the Senior World Championships commencing on the 28th August and Naomi de Bruine is in Taipei competing at the World University Championships.A former Judoka himself, Assistant Minister Hawke congratulated all of the club’s athletes and the club for making such a significant contribution to Judo and the community. He stayed after the presentations to watch the Senior training session and learn more about the club’s goals. The club’s 8 National Champions for 2017 are: In Senior Boys: Kevin Tarighat and Michael Ross; In Junior Men: Kyle McIndoe and Josh Katz; In Senior Men and Women: Josh Katz and Naomi de Bruine; In Kata: Bernhard and Bianca Tandean