Judo stars rack up medal count

Hedland’s judo enthusiasts backed up their outstanding efforts at the State titles earlier this year by again achieving impressive results at last month’s national championships.

The Sang-Rok Hedland Judo Club sent seven competitors to the championships in Wollongong, New South Wales, with five going on to win medals.

Sensei and former Australia representative Daniel Zammit led the way as he claimed a gold in the men’s masters 100kg-plus division, before backing it up with a bronze medal in the open men’s category.

Young competitor Rylan Wright showed what an extra year of training could achieve, after claiming gold in the junior boys under-50kg division in his second attempt at the nationals.

Jake Magee and Micah Viliamu also won bronze in the under-90kg and under-100kg divisions.

Chantell McGaffin turned her fortunes of 2014 around to claim silver in the women’s under-63kg Kyu grades division.

Beck Zammit and Flynn Bennett also fought bravely but both lost their bronze medal fights to finish in fourth place.

Sensei Scott Steer thanked the club’s volunteers and members for all their hard work as it looks ahead to the season to come.

“The national titles culminate with the end of the judo season for us here at Sang-Rok and we now have the 2015-16 season to look forward to, ” he said.

“I look forward to all the events planned for the coming 12 months and seeing the club continue to develop within the community through the collaboration of its members.”

The success at the nationals comes after the club also bagged 12 medals at the State titles.

It also comes as it relocated to a new training home in 2015 at the Jim Caffey Memorial Hall.

The club trains on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For more information about the club, phone 0411 798 123 or visit the Sang-Rok Hedland Judo Club Facebook page.