When Kaeden Rendek went to his first judo class as a six-year-old he had no idea if it would interest him. He soon learned that it did.
The first-year education student at the University of Saskatchewan credits his instructor, or sensei, at the time, Joe Meers, for his inspiration.
“He was so kind and supportive,” Rendek said last week, when he was home in Creston for a few days. “And I learned from his motto—work equals success!”
A dozen years after taking up the sport, he now has earned his Canadian black belt, and has also been certified by Kodokan Judo of Japan, an internationally recognized certification.
“Mr. Kaeden Tanner Rendek is herewith licensed to rank in the First Dan of the Kodokan Judo of Japanese in recognition of the great progress that he has made by his diligent study of the art for many years,” his certificate reads. “We expect him to endeavor for further progress in the future.”
The Kodokan test, which he took in Vancouver, required him to performer in a series of five moves (the Canadian test included three forms) to near-perfection, under the watchful eyes of the elderly Japanese graders. The Japanese belt “is recognized around the world”, and he even has a wallet-size licence that he now carries with him.
“That was more stressful than any event I have fought in,” Rendek smiled.
His accomplishments have been numerous, but Rendek said that one of the highlights has been to win provincial championships in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“I don’t know how many have done that,” he said.
While his university classes and studies keep him busy, he continues to practice judo 3-4 times a week, studying under two-time Olympian, coach Amy Cotton. Cotton won medals in eight Pan American Games before retiring as a competitor. He also studies under Ralph Ibanez, a Chilean émigré who is a five-time world champion who, now in his seventies, still continues to compete.
“I think he can still bench press more than I can!”
As a member of the University of Saskatchewan team, Rendek won a gold medal in the Manitoba provincial championships and hopes to participate in the Canadian National Judo Championships in Edmonton later this year.
As a member of the Creston Judo Club, he won gold at the 2014 BC Winter Games and silver at the 2016 BC Winter Games.
“The opportunity to represent the Kootenays is a real honour and I consider both appearances at the games stepping stones to furthering my advancement in the sport,” he said.
But competitions and awards are not the only reasons he cites for his passion for the sport.
“Judo has molded me into what I am today—life lessons, teaching, discipline, respect, keeping a balance in my life, character- and team-building—they have all meant so much to me.”
Even his decision to enter into the university’s education has a connection to judo (though his teacher-mom also had an influence!).
“In judo I get to share what I know, and I want to do that as a school teacher, too.”
“In my early days in judo it was a struggle to understand all the aspects of the sport, but eventually I came to love all of it,” Rendek said. “And it has provided me with astronomical opportunities—a kid from a small town in BC travelling and competing all over Canada!”
Last year he trained for two weeks in Arizona with the US National Team coach, in a non-air-conditioned dojo where garage doors were opened in a futile attempt to cool off its sweat-soaked judo players.
Asked to name some favourite memories in addition to the BC Games medals, he rattles a few off—second place in the 2012 Canadian Nationals, a bronze in the 2011 Junior Nationals, seven BC provincial championships, four Saskatchewan provincial championships—“the list is a long one!”
Shorter term goals include travelling to Europe with the Saskatchewan team, building more relationships across Canada and, within two years, earning his second-degree black belt.
He will wait until he graduates from university “to decide where I want to be, but I will always hold Creston dear to my heart.”