Sterling Judo Club members win in local judo competitions

A serious group of kids, teens and adults continues to meet each week in Sterling for free judo lessons and practice. This group meets at Sterling Elementary School gym at least twice weekly during the school year and membership is open to the public, minimum age is 8 and there is no upper age limit.

Several Club members entered judo competitions in October and November. Here are the judo competition results for both events:

UAA’s Creepy Crawlers Shiai (mat work only, no throwing) October 14: Caleb White, age 8, 3rd place; Joshua Babcock, age 8, 2nd place; River Fairbanks, age 9, 4th place; Liam Way, age 10, 1st place; Mckenzie White, age 10, 3rd place; Elijah Lee, age 10, 1st place; Caitlin Babcock, age 11, 1st place; Charles Fairbanks, age 11 1st and 3rd places; Ethan White, age 12, 2nd place; Coy Babcock, age 12, double 1st places.

On November 18, the following Sterling Judo Club competitors traveled to the Valley for the annual Matsu Judo Club Food Drive Judo Competition. Here are their tournament results: Joshua Babcock, age 8, 2nd place; River Fairbanks, age 9, 1st place; Axel Coxwell, age 9, 4th place; Elijah Lee, age 10, 1st place; Caitlin Babcock, age 11, 1st place; Charles Fairbanks, age 11, 2nd place; Coy Babcock, age 12, 1st place; Steffani Coxwell, senior competitor, 1st place.

Many more Sterling Judo Club members have wanted to participate in the typical four to five Anchorage area competitions each season but the cost is sometimes a bit much.

Sterling Judo Club accepts new teen and adult members throughout the school year and kids ages 8 through 12 are welcome to register and start classes and training twice during the year, in September and January. The January registration will be open from Jan. 9-23 during classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:45 to 8 p.m. There is no cost to join up for the program although there is an annual registration for our national judo organization insurance, sanction, etc. This one time annual fee is $80.

For more information visit the Sterling Judo Club’s Face Book page or contact the club sensei, Bob Brink at 242-9330 or one of our board members, Bob Ermold, Clay Holland, Paul McConnell, Marcus and Terre Lee.