JUDO - GISBORNE Judo Club head coaches Jason King and Kiki Velloza-Reedy do not hand out praise lightly but both were "rapt" with a 41-medal haul, including 18 gold, at the North Island championships here over the weekend. "That's not a bad return from 45 competitors," said Velloza-Reedy, whose women contributed half the gold tally. "But we both agreed the highlight of the weekend was the comments from all other coaches and players, especially as this is our 60th year anniversary and we're planning a three-day event to celebrate it over December." King, who won the masters (40-49 years) under 90-kilograms title and was runner-up in the masters open, said the feedback was amazing. "Everyone kept saying it was the best-run North Island champs they had been to," King said. "That's a huge compliment and a credit to everyone involved." Commonwealth Games hopeful Joy Williams, (senior women u63kg and open titles), Kelsey Teneti, (junior girls' over 36kg and open) and John Mackay, (masters over-90kg and open) were double-gold winners. "John won three medals — two gold and a silver," King said. "Hama Campbell put up a good fight to take silver in the restricted kyu (blue belt and below) division." Mikaere Marino-Moore, Reeftahn Brown-Terekia, Carlos Hihi and Indah Abbott earned special praise from Velloza-Reedy and King. "Reeftahn was runner-up in the cadet men's u55kg class then fought in the junior men's (17-20) u55kg class for bronze," said Velloza-Reedy, who is the national cadets and junior women's coach. "For a 14-year-old, that's a huge step up in fights but he's a player who is planning for the future. He determined to make the New Zealand team in the cadet class for the Oceania Judo Union champs next year and we told him if he wanted to cement his place he needed more mat time, and to fight harder opponents. "He accepted the challenge and did well to take bronze in the higher division. "Indah did very well to win gold in the senior girls u32kg, as she only weighed in at 25kg and her opponent was twice her size. It was her grit and determination that pulled her though." King who coaches the New Zealand cadets and junior men, said Marino-Moore and Hihi had a big future, if they continued working hard. "Mikaere won the junior boys' under-36kg title and was runner-up in the junior boys' open. Carlos won the junior boys' under-32kg title and was third in the junior boys' open. It was a great effort by these two. They are both focused and fight with a calmness you would expect from more experienced players. "The club is very strong in the juniors. We had 1, 2 and 3 placings in the junior boys' u32kg division and the under-14yrs, under-50kg class." Velloza-Reedy said it wasn't all about the medal winners. "Obviously it's great for those won but Lucas Cure, who did not make the podium, fought well. One of the judges said he was impressed with the tenacity shown by Lucas. He was getting beaten but refused to give in. If he maintains that attitude it won't be long before he is on the podium." The club has turned its attention to the nationals at Wellington in seven weeks. "These champs were a good build-up to the nationals but we all know we have to keep working hard." Williams, Patti Grogan and Perth-based Darcina Manuel also have some important dates coming up. "Patti, who won the senior women's under-57kg class, and Darcina are off to Japan mid-October to train and prepare for the Oceania champs in Samoa," Velloza-Reedy said. "The Oceania champs carry qualifying marks for next year's Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Joy is not going to Japan but hopes to compete in Samoa."

• published: 04 Sep 2013
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