Kokoro Judo Club members came away with good results from the 2011 Continental Judo Crown tournament in Seattle on Nov. 5.
Stephanie Salzbrenner, 16, earned a gold medal in the Junior Women's Under 57 kilogram division, winning both of her matches.
"According to the provincial coach who was with her, she didn’t even work up a sweat. It was quite definitive," says home club coach Ian Briggs.
He adds it was beneficial for Salzbrenner to compete south of the border with a new group of opponents.
"This proves to herself, her abilities. The pool of competition is small in British Columbia, and when you're always fighting the same girls, a sort of pattern develops. It gets predictable."
Aidan Fentiman won bronze in the Under 17, and Under 73 kg category.
This was only the fourth competition for Fentiman and Briggs says he was pleased with the 14-year-old’s results. Fentiman has his sights set on qualifying for the 2012 BC Winter Games and needs some competition experience under his belt before heading into the zone championships at the end of November. Only the winner in each division can compete at the winter games.
"He's naturally talented. The provincial coaches say he just needs more experience," says Briggs.
The pair was accompanied in Seattle by Team BC Provincial Coach Aline Strasdin from Prince George.
Other Kokoro Club members hoping to earn a spot at the BC Winter Games include Paige Hall, Aaron McDermid and Dorean Storz.