After hundreds of hours spent practicing their fusegis, ukemis and ashi wazas, they finally get their chance to put it all together in a real judo tournament.
The Prince George Open will provide that competitive stage for local judokas and it happens on Saturday at the Northern Sport Centre gymnasium.
The one-day tournament will draw 150 athletes from across the North Central Interior. For 15 Prince George judokas, this will be their final preparation before they compete at the national championships in Calgary, May 12.
"The PG Open is great regional tournament for the kids, right from beginners to pre-nationals, although some of the kids that are competing at nationals will be in the tournament and it will be a good tune-up for them," said Aline Strasdin, longtime coach of the Prince George Judo Club and an assistant coach for Team B.C.
"The pre-nationals (athletes) think the tournament itself is the best event ever, and it is for some of them. Most of the little kids in my club have competed in our club, and now they're going to the Northern Sport Centre."
All three local clubs, North Capital Judo Club, Hart Judo Academy and the Prince George Judo Club will be represented. The tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at about 3 p.m.
