Two members of the Battleford Judo Club are preparing to compete in the National Judo Championships in Calgary, Alta. to be held May 11-18.
Slavko Pristojko and Grace Burton have earned the right to represent Judo Saskatchewan at nationals after a successful competitive season. Both judoka have competed and earned medals in tournaments held in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Watrous and Winnipeg, Man.
Slavko says of his competitive experience, 鈥淚鈥檓 usually competing against friends from other clubs and, win or lose, we鈥檙e still good friends.鈥�
Girls鈥� competitive judo can be especially fierce and Grace found her season was a real learning experience and helped develop her judo skills. She also made a lot of new friends with whom she competed.
鈥淛udo players are really friendly.鈥�
They鈥檝e also attended a number of provincial training camps led by Judo Saskatchewan鈥檚 high performance coach Amy Cotton. Cotton is a former Olympian, Pan American bronze medalist and a 10-time Canadian championships medalist. She will be coaching Slavko, Grace and other Saskatchewan judo players in Calgary.
Slavko will be competing in the under 16 years of age under 55 kilogram class. Slavko is looking forward to competing and unleashing his devastating 鈥渦chi mata鈥� throw. The inner thigh throw is a favourite of fast and aggressive fighters.
Grace will be competing in the under 16 years of age under 44 kilogram class. She鈥檚 looking forward to seeing the Calgary Oval, which is the聽 first covered speed skating oval in North America and was built for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. She鈥檚 excited to find out who she will compete against, and what kind of throwing techniques they鈥檙e bringing to their game. Grace鈥檚 favourite technique is 鈥渉arai-goshi,鈥� or the sweeping loin throw. It鈥檚 a fast and powerful technique sure to take her opponents by surprise.
Slavko鈥檚 dad, Vladimir, and Grace鈥檚 dad, Russ, are also members of the Battleford Judo Club. They are proud of the success their kids have had in judo. They plan to attend the Nationals to support their children鈥檚 advancement in judo.
Vladimir is excited and proud that Slavko made the provincial team. He says, 鈥淪lavko always admired Lloyd Bullerwell, a former Battleford Judo Club member, because of his success at the national level. Now Slavko is following in his footsteps. Vlad Junior, Slavko鈥檚 brother, is also an active competitor and hopes to follow in his older sibling鈥檚 footsteps, and compete at the national level when he鈥檚 of age.鈥�
Russ and his kids enjoy judo as a family sport, and he鈥檚 especially proud of Grace鈥檚 drive and determination.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what got her to nationals. Her mother and I haven鈥檛 pushed her at all. We were happy to support her along the way.鈥�
The Battleford Judo Club is proud of Slavko and Grace and wishes them all the best as they head off to Calgary for Nationals. The club is also looking forward to helping Judo Saskatchewan host the 2018 Winter Games Judo Championships, right here in the Battlefords.
