Upheaval can’t throw judokas off their game
Nelson team strikes gold at nationals. Sarah Rose, left, John Maxwell and Yui Sakamoto. Photo: Supplied.
It wasn’t the ideal build up for the New Zealand Judo Championships in Christchurch.
The Nelson Judo Club was given just three weeks to vacate its Richmond base so had to relocate to the Brightwater Public Hall just before the event.
“It was all hands to the pump. Our judo membership showed real resilience, and the Wanderers rugby community was really supportive,” says the club’s head coach John Maxwell.
The 21-strong team responded by claiming 12 gold medals, four of them gold.
“It was a wonderful effort,” quips John.
The success highlighted the growth in the women’s ranks. Instructor Kaz Corcoran won gold in the 40-49-year-old 70+kg class and silver in the open section.
Fellow coaches Sarah Rose and Japanese judo player Yui Sakamoto combined to win gold in the Nage no Kata, which is judged on throwing techniques rather than combat.
Yui also picked up two bronze medals as she waits to see if her talent visa application is successful. It has been received by the office of Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk and supported by Nelson MP Rachel Boyack.
John won his 60-69-year-old U90kg class beating two-time Olympian Graeme Spinks, who is slightly older.
“It was the tenth time we had fought each other. He had won the first six times. While I have the strength, Graeme is very crafty and technical. He started strongly but I dusted myself off, came back and won.”
Rivals on the mat, mates off it. Meanwhile, as part of its appreciation to the Brightwater community, the club is planning to put on a demonstration on 3 November.
“It turns out the venue is probably better suited than where we were before at Jubilee Park,” observes John.
He will be missing from the exhibition though as he is off to the IJF Veteran World Championships in Paris.
“There are 39 competitors in my division, including some veteran world champs. I often get drawn against top 3 judokas so I am not sure how far I will progress,” says the well-travelled former policeman.
Another big trip is in the works for January with the club planning to take a team to Japan to train. Its membership keeps climbing, up to 73 at last count, with training sessions four days a week.