LAKE Macquarie PCYC Judo Club has notched two more national accolades.
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Sensei John Locke and student Karen Carrigan placed second in the ju-no-kata pattern against a Victorian team at the 2015 National Judo Championships, hosted by the Australian Kodokan Judo Association in Adelaide.
Representing the Windale club, Locke and Carrigan defeated a strong West Australian black-belt team in the qualifying round to face the Victorian duo.
Locke also joined 15-year-old Shayla Carrigan in the kime-no-kata, in which they claimed second place, also against Victoria, after beating Western Australia’s black belts in the qualifying round.
Shayla also competed in the shiai-contest in the cadet division and won silver.
Her brother Tristan, 11, competed in the senior boys division but did not place.
The Carrigan family, of Wallsend, were the only local representatives to join their instructor at the two-day championships.
Together, the four of them faced about 600 competitors from around the country and New Zealand, including representatives from the Judo Federation of Australia.
The championship showcased all facets of judo and a high calibre of skill.
Locke said he was proud of the effort his students put in, particularly to get to the finals.
“To beat a black-belt team and come second just shows the standard of our club as far as technical ability goes,” he said.
“It was the best result – I never imagined we would beat the black-belt team.
“That was the highlight for me.”
Locke said it was remarkable that his students were competing at such a high level alongside their instructor, when usually he would have to compete against other instructors.
The Carrigans competed in last year’s national championships at Hobart.
Shayla and karen took home bronze in the kime-no-kata. Shayla was also crowned the national champion in her weight and age division.
Locke said it was fantastic to see the Carrigans claim more medals at this year’s nationals, and praised their unwavering dedication to the sport.
Tristan also won silver at the 2015 Blacktown regional championships this month. His clubmates Sam and Peter Moratidis, as well as Emerson Sproule and Quinn Alan, all won gold in their age divisions.
