THE 2014 Shoalhaven Open Judo Championships went off with a bang at the Bomaderry Basketball Stadium last Sunday.
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Over 600 people filled the stadium, with over 200 contestants on the mats to play for medals and a spot at the Australian titles.
The event, which has been held every year by the Shoalhaven Heads Bushido Judo Club, is just one of four selection tournaments for the Australian Titles.
Shoalhaven Heads Bushido Club coach Bruce Fagan organised the event, and said this year attracted more contestants than the NSW state titles.
“It is also really good for the community. A lot of the people stayed in the area, so that’s a little bit of money for the place,” he said.
Shoalhaven Heads Bushido Judo Club had about 16 competitors contest the titles, including Youth Olympic gold medallist Tinka Easton, Queensland International medallist Dario Simic, and ACT International medallist Shekea Potter.
Although Fagan was proud of all of his students, he said the biggest moment for him was seeing one of his sons, Danny Fagan, compete again and take home medals.
At 46-years-old, the former Australian champion easily flipped contestants, some 20 years his junior, on his way to gold.
