On Jan. 26, 13 competitors from the Creston Judo Club travelled to the 27th annual Fernie judo competition. Also attending the tournament were teams from Invermere, Lethbridge, Raymond and Salmo.
All of the Creston competitors did very well and the Creston team came away with four gold, seven silver and one bronze medal, earned by Adam Hansen (silver), Nolen Asleson (silver), Kyle Qualtieri (gold and bronze), Justin Juurlink (gold), Joseph Albert (silver), Brae Booth (silver), Kaydon Booth (silver), Kaeden Rendek (gold), Leelen Samuelson (gold and silver) and Kim Francoeur (silver).
The Creston team also competed in the team competition where each judo club provides five of their best fighters to compete for the prestigious Fernie Challenge Cup. Competing for the Creston team were Hansen, Brae Booth, Sidney Leclerc, Qualtieri and Rendek. Creston won the matches against its Alberta counterparts but unfortunately lost the gold medal match to Salmo. The team was still very pleased with their silver medal and hopes to equal that or do better in next year’s competition.
The team appreciates the efforts of senseis Ben Reinhardt, Munroe Albert and Leelen Samuelson for their patience and guidance, as well as preparing the team for this competition, and the parents who took the time to travel to Fernie, support the team and cheer on the Creston competitors.
—CRESTON JUDO CLUB