For the Advance
Action, passion, and camaraderie are never in short supply at the Creston Judo Club since starting back up this Fall.
Five judokas, from the Senior Class, accompanied by head sensei, Laura Knudsen, recently returned with successful results from the Florence Senda Judo Tournament in Lethbridge.
“I am extremely happy with the performance of the five young Creston athletes,” said Sensei Laura. “From our youngest judoka who competed in her first scored matches to our oldest who continuously is up against a grueling category. Each kid gave it their all and collected points towards the upcoming BC Winter Games, which will be held in Quesnel.
“Our athletes and parents were also recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship conduct during this event. As a coach this accolade means more to me than any medal brought home.”
The judokas in the Junior Class, many on the mats for their first time, have been working on their breakfalls, throws, and hold downs. Cheered on by family and teammates, they were able demonstrate their skills recently at an in-house tournament, the Post Turkey Throwdown Showdown.
These judokas are preparing for another in-house tournament, the Pre-Reindeer Rumble coming up in a few weeks.
There has also been a lot of action outside the dojo. In order to stay on the mats and to ease travelling cost to tournaments, the judokas have been collecting and sorting bottles and selling baked goods. There have also been generous contributions from several community corporate sponsors: J.H Huscroft Ltd, Canfor, Mayday Electric, Kokanee Ford, Integra Tire Creston, Pealow’s, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jimmy’s Pub and Grill, Mann and Vander Heide Notary, Kootenay Exteriors, Grant Campbell, and Kootenay Euro Shop.
With heavy hearts, we also remember the founder of the Creston Judo Club, Irene Yamakawa, who recently passed away. Sensei Yamakawa brought judo to Creston over fifty years ago when she started teaching judo in her basement in 1970.
“Sensei Yamakawa’s contribution to Judo runs far deeper than just bringing judo to Creston,” said Sensei Laura. “As one of the pioneering women of the sport in Canada, she upheld the eight morals of the martial art: courage, respect, modesty, friendship, honour, honesty, self-control, and courtesy in her everyday life. All be it brief, it was my privilege to train with Sensei Yamakawa on the mats. But she always took the time to add to that training off the mats whenever she felt I needed it. I will miss her tremendously as a teacher and friend.”
The Creston Judo Club would not exist without our current Sensei’s, Laura Knudsen and Leelen Samuelson. The club is extremely grateful for the incredible amount of energy and time both provide without renumeration, through instructing encouraging, and challenging the judokas on and off the mats.
