The Sterling Judo Club gathered in the Sterling Elementary School gym Thursday to mark the end of their season by recognizing eight of their members who had earned promotions this year.

Arianna and Makayla Jicha both advanced to Yellow II. Kayla Weisman and Leila Lee earned Orange II. Cayden Kelly received a senior green belt. River Fairbanks earned a senior brown belt.

Promotions were also bestowed to the club’s two senseis, Clayton Holand and Bob Brink. Holland earned a second-degree black belt and Brink advanced to eighth degree.

Weisman, Lee and Makayla Jicha also were recognized with special awards for their championship victories at the 63rd Annual Dee High Memorial Alaska State Judo Championships in Anchorage in March.

Lee and Maurice Green were recognized for their tied season best attendance.

The Sterling Judo Club has been operating in the Sterling Elementary gym for 14 years, Brink said. This year’s group, he said, while a small crew, is among the most dedicated he’s seen.

“They enjoy it,” he said. “They enjoy the fun, they enjoy the challenge.”

Judo, he said, gets kids engaged and it pushes them to grow — whether they ultimately compete or not. Brink said he’s taught judo for around 60 years, and seen it make “amazing” change in his students. The martial art teaches students balance and control, “maximum efficiency with minimum effort.”

“A small person can throw a bigger person,” he said. “Not with strength, but with technique. By breaking his balance.”

The club will reconvene in September for next year’s season. Find more information at “Sterling Judo Club” on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Kayla Weisman and Leila Lee are recognized for their promotion to second degree orange belts at the Sterling Judo Club’s end of season awards night at Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, Alaska, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Cayden Kelly is recognized for his promotion to senior green belt at the Sterling Judo Club’s end of season awards night at Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, Alaska, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

River Fairbanks is recognized for his promotion to senior brown belt at the Sterling Judo Club’s end of season awards night at Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, Alaska, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sensei Clayton Holland is recognized for his promotion to second degree black belt at the Sterling Judo Club’s end of season awards night at Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, Alaska, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

River Fairbanks demonstrates a throw against one of his teammates at the Sterling Judo Club’s end of season awards night at Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, Alaska, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The Sterling Judo Club stands for a photo during their end of season awards night at Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, Alaska, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)