Two members of the Williams Lake Judo Club were at the Richmond Speed Skating Oval on the weekend competing in the Canadian National Judo Championships.
Jeff DiMarco and Rudy Klaue, both representing Team BC, laced up their judo gis for the tournament — both coming away with some valuable experience and some solid results.
DiMarco, competing in the masters 66-kilogram 40-49 age group, threw his way to a gold medal after losing his first fight, then winning his second.
“I was in a division of three (fighters) so I had just the two fights,” he said.
“I lost the first, which I could have won, too, but was too unaggressive and slow.
“Each of us in the group won a fight and lost one, but I won my fight by a full point and the others won theirs with partial points, so in the end I won gold on points. Usually you have to win all the matches to get first, but with the small groups things can change.”
Klaue, who fought last Thursday in the 81-kilogram under-18 division, lost both his matches.
DiMarco, also the Sensei at the Williams Lake Judo Club, said Klaue could have just as easily won, and added the tournament was a fantastic way to gain some more competitive experience.
“Rudy was in a group of about 13 and lost two fights so he was out,” DiMarco said.
“He could have won the first … It was a good experience, I think, so now he will know what to expect for next time and the level of competitors at the nationals.”
DiMarco added Team BC was well represented at nationals, picking up five gold medals, total — the most ever for B.C.