2013 Australian Judo National (Wollongong)

2013 Judo Nationals 7-8-9-10th June Wollongong.

Yuukan started the state squad training at Homebush "compulsory camp" with Nicholas, Amelie, Riley, Molly, Michael and Blake.

Although Nicholas trained extremely hard in the morning after a mouth full of blood, he knew that the state training was not going to be something that he could commit to for the next 6 weekends. We are extremely proud of Nicholas and hope that we will see him in the NSW Squad in the future.
We do find this to be the case with being so far away from Sydney, it is extremely "intensive", not just the training but the travelling and sitting in a car for 10 hours on a Saturday for 2 hours of training, it is not an attractive choice for many judoka and is defiently not attractive to many parents as they lose a whole weekend for judo. We understand that it is not for everyone, however, we have found some just need another year and they are ready to cope, others, just do not want to do it.

The 2013 NSW State Squad

Blake, Michael, Molly and Riley are now "old Pro's" to the training, however, the early mornings and the late night homes are never easy to "get use to".

This is Amelies first year as a member of the state squad, but she is no stranger to the hard training, with paticipating in the squad training last year. Amelie enjoyed the training and we know she is ready to put in the hard work to get her to compete at national standard for the NSW team.

Amelie with her "new" state patch

Amelie in her "new" state tracksuit

Homer is a special part of the Yuukan team and runs with the members and is always there to "get in the way" at weight training, so when at squad training on the weekend the girls saw it fitting to give him a "friend" around his neck. Homer and the monkey became inseperable for the day..
(yes Poor Homer)..

This year again we will see Riley and James (Illawarra) Michael and Molly, Blake and Steven (Illawarra) compete in the Jr nage no kata on the Friday night.
They have been training on Saturday mornings at Homebush Olympic Park, before the state squad, with two of Australias greatest kata competitors Ernie Wakamatsu and Dale Keogh, we would like to say a "HUGE" thank you to you both for the time you have given to our members and for the experience in kata that you have shared with them.

Kata Team. Blake, Steven, Michael, Molly, Riley (missing James) and Dale

Kata Team Coach Ernie, James, Riley, Blake and Steven

Steven and Blake Jr nage-no-kata

Michael ad Molly Jr nage-no-kata

James and Riley Jr nage-no-kata

Riley and Dale (instructor)

Blake and Steven Kata practice.

Michael and Molly Kata practice.

Riley and James Kata practice.

This week we trained in Wollongong, so only a two hour trip for everyone, it was lovely, and as the photos and videos below show, the kids all happy, (it was a wonderful sight, as we are so use to them enjoying and having fun together, that if it doesn't happen we know that they are NOT themselves)

Last state training in Sydney before next weekends Australian Judo Nationals and we went out with a "bang" or should I say "on fire"
with the sports hall alarm going off while we were practicing kata, we were ordered to evacuate the building and had a visit from the fire brigade. Although no fire was detected it was an excitement that we didn't expect.

Luke, Tinka, Riley, James, Blake, Molly, Steven and Michael.

2013 South Coast Kata competitors.
Michael-Molly Riley-James
Blake-Steven Tinka
Coaches Ernie and Dale

Fire Alarm at the Judo Sports Hall during the last kata training session.
EVACUATE THE BUILDING.

WELL WE MADE IT

It has been a LONG time coming but we MADE IT..
Friday night kata- Blake and Steven GOLD,
Riley and James SILVER
Michael and Molly BRONZE.
Saturday saw Blake BRONZE cadet under 66kg, No medal in the Junior men under 66kg.
Michael SILVER cadet under 55kg and BRONZE Junior men under 55kg
Monday saw Molly BRONZE Senior girls under 57kg
Riley and Amelie fought in the junior boys and girls but did not medal.
CONGRATLATIONS.. and here are LOTS AND LOTS of photos to enjoy..

We stayed in a wonderful house in Kiama.. Aqua Bamboo, the ladies were lovely to speak to and were extremely helpful and nice, we arrived with food in the fridge of milk, juice, breakfast was provided with eggs, bread, tea, coffee It had ALL the comforts of home and much more. We will be hoping that they still have this house next year for the 2014 Nationals because we will be booking for sure. Click here for more details about Aqua bamboo.

THANK YOU SENSEI CHRIS YOU ARE THE BEST COACH

Photography by Jessica, Gerry, Andrew, Ernie and Gayle. if you would like a copy please contact us.