The Portage Judo Club took part in the Selkirk Open last Saturday. The athletes came away from the tournament with five gold medals. 

Coach Eric Jenner describes how the event affected the kids' confidence going forward.

"We had two kids that it was their first time competing, and you see the nerves, you see the excitement, and both actually did quite well."

Jenner later shared that he is quite proud of the athletes' performance.

Among the kids that went were Tennyson Verwey and Geraldine Orchard. Verwey says he was happy to take part.

"The Selkirk tournament was a good one. We had a lot of fighters from Manitoba; about 130. The Portage team brought back a lot of gold medals, so that was good. And I had some good fights against hard teammates from the Manitoba team, too. So it was really good."

Verwey took the gold medal in the Men's U18 +90kg division, as well as a bronze in the U21 -90kg division.

Geraldine Orchard competed in the U16F -70kg division and claimed gold, as well. She shared what she is working on now to prepare for the next tournament.

"I'm working on some throws that I know my other opponent likes to use."

The club now prepares for their next tournament on Saturday when they attend the Saskatchewan Open.

Medal winners:

  • Eric Jenner: 1st in Male Veteran Open, 2nd in Senior Men’s Advanced +100kg
  • Tennyson Verwey: 1st U18M +90kg, 3rd U21M -90kg
  • Tristan Jenner: 1st U16M -73kg
  • Owen Bevan: 1st U16M -60kg
  • Geraldine Orchard: 1st U16F -70kg
  • Blye Hebert: 3rd U14M G5

Nickolas Kempe, Quinton Cool-Ritchie and Lacey Scott all participated in the U10 division, which presents participation medals to all competitors, and not just to winners.