JUDO CHAMPIONS: Shoalhaven’s Tinka Easton (left) and Alicia Congram (right) proudly wear their Youth Olympic medals.
Once again a little judo club from Shoalhaven Heads has shown it can produced world class athletes with two of its members Tinka Easton and Alicia Congram claiming medals at the recent Youth Olympics held at Sydney Olympic Park.
Berry’s judo champion Tinka Easton added to her growing collection of titles by winning a gold medal. It was the first time a judo competitor from the South Coast has stood on the top step of the podium at the international games designed for athletes up to the age of 18 years.
The dual Australian and Oceania champion defeated some of the best youth judoka from around the world including judo powerhouses China, Chinese Taipei, USA and Brazil.
Tinka was unstoppable as she methodically beat opponent after opponent with explosive judo and speed that belied her small stature.
Mollymook’s Alicia Congram also faced up to and beat a host of internationals starting with a Chinese black belt in her first fight. Congram looked to be on target for an undefeated run until she suffered an ankle injury while competing against a Brazilian opponent who eventually won the division.
Despite being advised to withdraw from the event, the gutsy youngster proved her toughness by carrying the painful injury through the rest of the competition finishing with a bronze medal.
Tinka and Alicia will be back training at the Shoalhaven Heads Bushido Judo Club from February 5 in preparation for their next event.