Years of studying and a full season's devotion to practices and tournaments will culminate in this weekend's Canadian judo championships in Saguenay, Que., for 12 Prince George athletes.
Two local clubs - Prince George Judo Club and Hart Judo Academy - have sent their top judokas to Quebec for the competition, which starts today and runs through Sunday.
In the under-16 event are: Lorna-Jane Simmons (female -52 kilograms); Taylor Schaus, (male -42kg); Ryan Russell, male -48kg); Branden Edwards, male -55kg); Levi Price, male -60kg); Kyle Wilkinson, male -60kg). All fight for the Prince George Judo Club except for Simmons, a Hart Judo Academy member.
In the U-18 category are: Lisa Russell, (female -52kgs, Prince George Judo Club); Grace Northrop, (female -52kg, Hart Judo Academy) and Kristen Yawney (female -70kg, Prince George Judo Club).
Competing in the U-21 age category are: Lavanna Laass (female -63kgs, Hart Judo Academy): Quinn Clemas (male -81kg, Prince George Judo Club) and Brendan Bellevance, (male -100kg, Hart Judo Academy).
Bruce Kamstra of the Hart Academy is head coach of the B.C. team while Prince George Judo Club head coach Aline Strasdin will also be In Quebec to support the provincial team.
