Lavanna Laass had a busy and productive weekend on the judo mats.
Laass, a 17-year-old from the Hart Judo Academy, battled her way to a silver medal at the Canada West Open in Burnaby on Saturday. Then, Sunday in Richmond, she successfully tested for her black belt.
Laass earned her silver medal in the U-21 women's under-70-kilogram division, an impressive accomplishment for a couple of reasons. First, she was competing in a higher weight category because of a lack of participants in her own class, and second, she's in her inaugural season in U-21.
"It was a good result considering she was fighting bigger girls," said coach Bruce Kamstra. "And she's coming off an injury too so this was a good step for her.
"I never have any complaints about Lavanna at all," Kamstra added. "She's super hard-working."
Kamstra is also pleased that Laass now holds a black belt at such a young age.
"She's in her Grade 12 year of high school and to get that before she graduates is a big deal," he said. "The past two years she has won a [bronze] medal at Canadian championships as well. We're working hard to improve and of course the big thing coming up for her is the Canada [Winter] Games here in Prince George [in 2015]."
Laass is the third Hart Judo athlete to be awarded a black belt this year. The others are Jonathan Bergstrom and John Rustad, who tested for their belts in June.
One of Laass's teammates, Brendan Bellavance, was also in Burnaby for the Canada West Open. The 17-year-old Bellavance competed in the U-21 men's under-90kg category and finished in the silver-medal position.
"Brendan is continually improving as well," said Kamstra, who doubles as Judo B.C.'s sport development director. "He's the biggest kid in the club so he doesn't have a lot of training partners. His best training partner is Lavanna, who normally fights at 63 kilos. He's improving -- he needs more big kids to practice with but he always has a great work ethic and a great attitude."
Bellavance is also eyeing a spot at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Quinn Clemas of the Prince George Judo Club had a golden day at the Canada West Open. He was the top finisher in the U-21 men's under-81kg class.
A handful of local judo athletes will attend a high-profile training camp in Abbotsford from Dec. 27-30. The sessions will be led by Akinori Hongo, a former Japanese national team member who is now living in Montreal.
