Wylon Hall, 14, is off to the 2016 BC Winter Games to compete for the Cariboo-North East (Zone 8) in the Judo U60 (under 60 kilograms) category in Penticton, Feb. 25-28.
The Grade 9 Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School student will be coached by his sensei Ian Briggs who will be coaching both the male and female teams in Penticton.
Both train at the Kokoro Judo Club in 100 Mile House, as does Adam Sullivan who was named as an alternate for Zone 8, and was called up to compete in the U73 on Feb. 24.
Wylon says he started training in Judo five years ago and got interested after watching his sister, Paige Hall, who was also a Kokoro judoka. He adds she competed in two BC Winter Games.
"I really liked the sport and started watching it and decided I wanted to get into it."
Wylon says he didn't spar with Paige, but they did work out together at home.
Noting he had a blue belt, Wylon says Judo is his main sport right now.
He trains Monday through Saturday and takes Sundays off.
Wylon has done very well in tournaments over the years and says he usually finishes in the top 3.
He has also attended several training camps, where he has done well and competed against guys who he will be competing against at the games.
Wylon says his strength, speed and technique should help him do well in Penticton.
"I'm fast and I work hard. I am aggressive when it's needed, so I should be OK."
He is looking forward to going to the 2016 BC Winter Games, and says his parents are coming to watch him, so he is pleased about that.
"It should be a real fun experience."