Local athletes wore out the path to the top of the medal podium at the Prince George Open judo tournament.
At the event, held Saturday at the Civic Centre, P.G. judokas combined to win 40 gold medals. The golden performances were given by members of the Hart Judo Academy, Prince George Judo Club and North Capital Judo Club.
Hart athletes led the gold-medal count with 16. Winners, in various categories, were: Ilianna Bustamante, Kiara Katrinchuk, Taylor Rowland, Jordan Ardnt, Jamie Allan, Logan Vennberg, Cristina Bustamante, Grace Northrop (2), Juliana Bergstrom, Byron Laass, Christopher Grilz, Lavanna Laass, Jonathan Bergstrom, Mark Whalley and Mike Jarecki.
Prince George Judo Club members battled to 15 gold medals. Division champions were: Quinlan Storey, Kyra Edgson, Sydney Edgson, Joshua Hawkenson, Colby Hawkenson, Matteo Rodrigues, Tanner Matheson, Tami Goto, Ryan Russell, Kyle Wilkinson, Levi Price, Joshua Price, Kris McGowan, Elijah Zwiers and Shawn Botten.
The North Capital Judo Club also had an outstanding day on the mats, as nine of their judokas left with gold hanging around their necks. They were: Brody Bennell, Ryder Rawlings, Alex Thanos, Nicolas Richards, Connor Slooyer, Brandon Chow, Eric Halsall, Brandon Slooyer and Paul Bryant.
Judokas from Grande Prairie, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and Kamloops also competed.
