By CHAT News Today

Judokas reflect on successful season

Jun 20, 2018 | 5:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The competitive season has wrapped up for the Medicine Hat Judo Club, but two of their most prolific athletes are already getting ready for next year.

Ethan Cobbe-Hoggan and Kayen Ivey both reached the national stage this past season, appearing at the Canadian Open Championships in May.

“Overall, it was good competition,” said Cobbe-Hoggan, 17, who finished fifth overall at the tournament. “I got to fight a lot of guys who don’t come out west very often.”

“It was great,” said Ivey, 16. “There was a lot of tough fighters, great camaraderie, a lot of fun.”

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Both are proud of how their season has finished.

“The way I’m able to be competitive now, I have throws that are scoring points,” said Cobbe-Hoggan. “I used to really be on the strategy of throw attacks until they hit the ground and try and win there, which is bad because I’m not very good on the ground. But now, I have moves that work, I have the strategy down, I have the gripping down.”

“I have the rough work down, now I need to refine everything and have it polished up for next season.”

“I learned a lot of stuff, I took a lot of knowledge that I’m able to apply and teach for the kids,” said Ivey. “It was fun.”

After the off-season, both judokas will begin preparing for their black belt tests, which will likely take place in the spring.

“With university on the way, it’s going to be a big shift in my life,” said Cobbe-Hoggan. “I really want to get that black belt before I graduate high school.”

“I’ve been working to that for years,” said Ivey, adding it would mean a lot to him if he accomplished his goal.

Donovan Hoggan, the head instructor at the club, says the future looks bright for both athletes.

“They’re both doing very, very well,” he said. “There’s a lot to be tweaked at this point, but I’m very confident they’ll be there by the fall or the spring.”