Elijah Zwiers made short work of his opponents Saturday at the Prince George Open judo tournament.
In judo, you don't get a second chance if you get tossed onto your back. It's all over at that point and Zwiers took care of business with two wins by ippon to capture the men's under-20 championship at the Civic Centre.
The 18-year-old Prince George Judo Club athlete needed about a minute to flip clubmate Quinn Clemas to the mat, and took care of Atley Miller of North Capital Judo Club in a similar way.
Coming off a second-place finish a week ago at the Edmonton International tournament, the PG Open was the final tournament for Zwiers before he heads to Sept-les, Que. for the junior national championships, June 28-July 8.
"I tried to make short work of it out there, you never know in judo, in one split-second it can go the other way at any time and you're on your back," Zwiers said.
Zwiers has been to the junior nationals twice before, in 2006 and 2008. He didn't win any of his matches at that level but this year, as B.C.'s No.2-ranked athlete in the -90-kilogram class, that winless streak might be in jeopardy.
"Nationals is always a good experience because there are lots of tough competitors and I still have another year in this age group so it will be good to see how I do, but I will still have another year to fit right in there and see if I can take the top," he said.
Zwiers, a first-degree black belt, comes from a long line of relatives who take judo seriously. At one time he had 10 of his family or extended family competed in the sport. His 21-year-old brother Stefan competes internationally for Canada. Elijah is now in his 13th season with the club and he says there's substitute for the rush he gets taking on an opponent.
"It's the adrenaline during the fight that I like -- it's a very technical sport and it looks good and feels good and it's very good for you physically -- it builds strength and endurance," Zwiers said. "I've really picked up my training this year and I've seen a lot of improvement."
Clemas, 16, has also qualified for junior nationals, in the -81kg class. Having gone through a recent growth spurt, he has become more a challenge for Zwiers when they train.
"He's a good training partner, he really pushes me and he knows what I have to work on," said Clemas.
This will be his second appearance at the junior national level, having fought in the 2007 tournament. After the national tournament, all competitors are invited to a week-long training camp, where they get to know their peers from other provinces, which proved a valuable experience for Clemas in 2007.
"There are lots of different people to train with and it's not very often we get to train with people from other provinces," Clemas said. "Quebec is a good team and they are really fun to train with."
PGJC fighter Kate Filipovic, who turns 18 next month, is entered in the U-20 under-57kg category, having fully recovered from ACL knee surgery that took her out of the sport two years ago. Filipovic finished second at the P.G. Open to Deborah Zemenak of 100 Mile House in the under-20 women's category.
"I feel I'm a lot stronger than the last couple years at junior nationals so I hope to do much better," said Filipovic. "This year I'm in the middle of my age category and I'm excited about it. "
One other PGJC member, Kristen Yawney, will compete at junior national in the under-15, under-63kg category.
