Six Bahamians medalled at the US Judo Junior Olympics International held on Sunday in Orlando Florida. Standouts were 14 year old Myriael Newry who won a silver medal and 13 year old Nathan Williams who won the Best Sportsman Award and a bronze medal. Other bronze medal winners were Cynthia Rahming (15), Tajaro Hudson (12), Alex Martinborough (15) and Kameron Knowles (11). The team was coached by 2004 US Olympian Rhadi Ferguson who is of Bahamian heritage.

“I am especially delighted for Nathan,” said Junior Coach Wellington Mullings.”He has the right atitude and the heart of a tiger.” Judo is a very demanding physical combat sport. Nathan was born with a slight physical disability in that one of his arms is shorter than the other and does not extend fully, yet he still manages to be competitive in a sport against fully able bodied persons.

“This was an assessment tournament,” said Coach Ferguson.”We needed to see which areas we need work in, but yet we are pleased with the results that have already been achieved.” The team will now undergo two intensive training camps in preparation for the US Junior Open Championships, World Cadet trials and World Championships. Next week the team will compete in the US Jr. Open in Ft. Lauderdale the largest and most prestigious junior tournament in the hemisphere. Persons interested in Judo in the Bahamas may contact the Bahamas Judo Federation at 364-6773 or www.bahamasjudo.com.

Action photos courtesy of Charles Carroll.