Tatami Judo Club produces record results at SA Open Judo Championships

The Tatami Judo Club based in Bryanston won a total of 33 medals at the SA Open Judo Championships held in Port Elizabeth in July.

The medals consisted of 23 gold, eight silver and two bronze – a record for the local club.

Team members included Judoka from Beaulieu Preparatory, Bryanston Primary, Kyalami Preparatory, Fourways High, Bryanston High, St David’s Marist Inanda, Cooper College, Kings College, Hilton College, Bryanston Parallel Medium School, Curro and Bryneven Primary School.

There were several outstanding performances during the competition. Judoka who won gold and came home with the title of SA National Champion for 2018 in their age and weight categories were: Matthew Hunt (Bryanston Primary), Simphiwe Zindela (Bryanston Primary), Alexander Hristov (Beaulieu Primary), James Hulett (St David’s Marist Inanda), Alessandro Losco (Bryneven Primary), Kendra de Beer (Cooper College), Meegan Zomero (Bryneven Primary) and Connor McCabe (Hilton College). In the Kata competition, Evan and Jayden Thiel (both from Bryanston Parallel Medium School) also clinched gold and brought home national titles.

Founder and Sensei at Tatami Judo, Basil Smith said, “The Tatami Judo athletes shone this year with some fantastic performances and achievements on the national stage. The techniques practised and perfected over years of dedication and training were on display, which is obviously very rewarding for me as their Sensei. Performing so well under pressure is also a testament to their fitness, discipline and fortitude, which is what the sport is all about.”

Tatami Judo Club was started by Sensei Basil Smith in 2007 and trains on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Bryanston Primary School.

Details: tatmijudo1@gmail.com