BY: PAMELA STERN
The Starrett Judo Club held their 31st Annual Starrett Cup on Sunday, January 14th at the Brooklyn Sports Club (BSC). Coach Parnel Legros said, “This was one of the best tournaments ever! There were no injuries, and no complaints, everything went smoothly!”
There were approximately 12 dojo’s that participated in the Starrett Cup including a small team from the Bahamas. Other participants came from all over including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland.
All of the judokas that are enrolled in the Starrett Judo Club participated in this tournament.
“The club did extremely well all of the students placed and received either a gold, silver, or bronze medal,” Legros said.
Legros commended three of his judokas who did an outstanding job:
Kelsey Billups: Gold
Raja Pope Carter: Bronze
Rex Pope Carter: Silver
There also were some notable Olympians at the Starrett Cup. Two time Olympian, Colton Brown was there coaching his team. He is a former competitor in the Starrett Cup. Jimmy Pedro was also present, he is a two time Olympic bronze medalist and world Judokas Come from All Over to The Starrett Cup champion who came out of retirement to coach at Pedro’s Judo Center and is the founder of Pedro’s Challenge.
The Starrett Judo Club has a full schedule of upcoming tournaments: Pedro’s Challenge International is in April and will be held in Massachusetts Liberty Bell International is in April and will be held in
Pennsylvania Junior Olympics will be in June and will be held in Pittsburgh (This is a National Championship) US Open International will be in July and this will be held in Florida.
“I am thankful that management has given me the opportunity to teach Judo for 31 years and also to bring world class athletes to Starrett. I would also like to thank everyone who works for management for supporting us throughtout the years, Devorah Fong who retired, Karin Montagne, Eurydice Robinson, and the late Earl Williams, the late Margaret Novack, and the late Agnes Green, the Spring Creek Sun staff and the Brooklyn Sports Club’s Arnie Gonzales, Hassan Canaan and their staff” said Legros.
Photos courtesy of: Jadora Altidor
