By Amanda Moses
On December 11th, the Starrett Judo Club hosted their Annual Holiday Invitational Tournament at the Brooklyn Sports Club’s (BSC) gymnasium, inviting a wide array of judokas to compete for the chance to win a gold, bronze, and/or silver medals. Helmed by Coach Parnel Legros, the event sought to provide an opportunity for young judo members to put their skills to the test.
The BSC’s gymnasium was transformed into a martial arts dojo that Sunday morning. Several blue and yellow mats were sprawled across the floor, while chairs lined the walls for spectators to watch the youth compete.
The competition was divided into two sections, so that two matches could occur simultaneously with two sets of judges aptly watching. Parents, coaches, and team members shouted words of encouragement and move critiques as the children put their all into each bout. While the matches were tough, the children and teens worked hard to counter their opponents’ weight in every toss, the end results showcased how far the judokas have come over the past year.
One Starrett Judo Club member, Kevin Bailey, shouted in glee after he won several medals, stating that in the past he lost a lot of matches, but now he’d finally succeeded. His teammates applauded in support, and the event culminated with all of the Starrett Judo Club members, staff, and parents posing for a group photo.
For Sensei Legros, events like these can be arduous to host, but he says that every time he sees his judokas perform, he gets a renewed sense of confidence.
Photos by Amanda Moses
