The Balmoral Judo Club closed out its season with a strong showing at the Nakamura Open Judo Tournament in Winnipeg on May 1.
Avery Wakeham of the Balmoral Judo Club poses with his medal after competing in the U16 male -55 kg division at the Nakamura Open Judo Tournament in Winnipeg on May 1
A total of 162 competitors from across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario took part, with Balmoral athletes earning multiple podium finishes across several divisions.
In the U10 mixed division, where no placings are awarded, Ellie Cook, Emery Leroux and Phoenix Wakeham represented the club.
Balmoral saw solid results in the U12 categories. In Group 4, Momchil Jongstra won gold while Grayson Howe took silver. In Group 5, Leo Paton earned silver and Maverick Paton added a bronze medal.
In the U14 divisions, Josie Hoplok claimed silver in the female -48 kg class, while Lily McDonald secured bronze in the female -63 kg division.
At the U16 level, Avery Wakeham competed in the male -55 kg category.
In the senior men’s divisions, Adeseye Oyemade captured bronze in the combined novice and advanced +100 kg class, along with a silver medal in the novice +100 kg division.
The tournament marked the final competition of the season for the Balmoral Judo Club, with regular classes set to resume in the fall.
Looking ahead, Wakeham will represent Team Manitoba at the Open National Championships in Calgary from May 14 to 17.
