On the final day of individual finals at the 2019 Canada Winter Games judo competition, Team BC was looking to better their 2015 Canada Winter Games showing of 4 silver and 4 bronze medals in the individual competition. Following today’s haul, Judo has secured 10 medals at these games; 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals in the individual competition.
Judo will be back in competition for the team event on Friday to close out these 2019 Games.
In today’s heavyweight competition, Team BC competed well and saw much success on the podium.
Gold for Booth
Brae Booth of Creston, BC faced Keeley Hussey (NB) in the semi-final for female judo -70kg. She won handily versus Hussey and moved on to face Ilhem Ouali of Quebec for gold.
Booth won in the final by arm bar following her dominating and calm performance. In a fight where Ouali looked frazzled and eager to make a move, Booth kept calm and waited for the opportunity to strike.
“Today went really well, there were a lot of great fights today. The girl I beat in the final was actually my first opponent today, it was great to beat her twice and to fight well all day,” said Booth following her victory.
Bronze for Young
Lochlan Young (Prince George) defeated Kristopher LaFrance of PEI in the bronze medal match for male judo -73kg.
Four Team BC, two female and two male athletes fought for Gold under the bright lights on the feature mat 1 at Westerner Park.
Silver for Kuramoto
Caleigh Kuramoto (Richmond) faced Kiera Westlake (AB) in female judo -57kg and ultimately won silver, like her father had done at his own Canada Winter Games many years ago.
“I fight her (Westlake) a lot, and every time I get a bit closer and closer. I felt confident going into the final but I couldn’t beat her today. I am proud of my podium finish. My dad walked away with a silver medal when he competed in the Canada Winter Games, so I am excited to be able to do that as well.”
The Canada Winter Games have been a key competition for the entire Kuramoto family. This is the same multi-sport competition her father Craig Kuramoto won silver 31 years ago when the Games were held in Cape Breton. Four years earlier her uncle won gold in Lethbridge.
The Payton Siblings secure gold and silver
Brother and sister, Isabelle and Payton Harris (both of Abbotsford) faced formidable opponents in their gold medal matches. Isabelle was victorious and won gold vs Sierra Tanner (NS) in female judo -63g and Payton faced Alexandre Arencibia (QC) in the male judo -81kg final, ultimately facing defeat and earning the silver medal.
Gold for Ryder to end the day
Rounding out the successful day, Ian Ryder (Richmond) faced Martin Penchev (QC) in the male judo +81kg final, where he had a dominating performance performing one of his favourite throws twice to ultimately overtake Penchev.
“That’s a throw that I practice a lot. The uchi mata throw (one of the most tradition judo throws) is one I am confident with and I used it twice today to defeat him (Penchev). I didn’t get the full point on the first try but got it done on the second try to take the gold.”
Results – Heavyweight Individual Finals
SILVER – Caleigh Kuramoto - -57kg Female
GOLD – Isabelle Harris - -63kg Female
GOLD – Brae Booth - -70kg Female
BRONZE – Lochlan Young - -73kg Male
SILVER – Payton Harris - -81kg Male
GOLD – Ian Ryder (Richmond) - +81kg Male