The Portage Judo Club was represented well in the first competition to take place in the province since the beginning of COVID-19 at the end of last month.

Six local fighters attended the St. Boniface Open, which was held at the University of Manitoba. Head coach of the club Brian Case says all their fighters medalled, which he was very proud of.

Olivia Krynski with Olympian Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard"Colby Bird and Tristan Jenner were in the U12 Division. Colby took home a silver and Tristan got a bronze," says Case. "Kailyn Asham fought in the U16 Division and won a bronze. Jack Adamson fought in the U18 Division and he also won a bronze. Olivia Krynski fought with the U18 females and won a bronze. Our final fighter was Chysom Scott who fought in the Advanced Male Senior Division in the +100 category and he got a gold medal."

Case says on top of this being the first competition back in over two years, it was special for another reason.

"They had an Olympian who is doing a tour of Canada, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard. She was a bronze medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," Case explains. "She handed out all the medals to all of the contestants at the tournament."

The head coach adds Olivia Krynski was actually fortunate enough to go to a workout with Beauchemin-Pinard after the event, which he says she was very grateful for.