Author Archives: Patrick

Brandon Open 2017

On Saturday, October 27th, 93 judo competitors from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan fought in the 2017 Brandon Open Judo shiai, held in Shilo, MB. The tournament took place on World Judo Day.

Members of the Brandon Judokan judo club (https://brandonjudokan.org/) competed in various categories:

  • Jonathan Kroeker competed in the U10 -29/-32kg division
  • Bart Kalinin competed in the U12 -33kg division
  • Curtis Ratzlaff placed 3rd in the U12 -36kg division
  • Cole Newing placed 1st in the U12 -36kg division
  • Marita Kroeker placed 2nd in the U14 Female -40/-48kg divison
  • Jingyuan Zhou placed 1st in the U14 Female -48/-57kg division
  • Maya Fines placed 3rd in the U16/U18 Female -70/+70kg division
  • Aedan Dyck placed 2nd in the U16 Male -66/-73kg division
  • Colin Kennedy placed 3rd in the U18 Male -50/-55/-60kg division
  • Melody Kroeker placed 2nd in the U21 Female -57/-63kg division
  • Jeff Parrott placed 3rd in the Senior Male Novice -81/-90kg division
  • Neal Hackler placed 2nd in the Masters Open division
  • Jeff Parrott placed 3rd in the Masters Open division

Airton Nakamura of Nakamura Judo Club received the 2017 Silvio Sboto Memorial Award for Excellence in Coaching.

Clay Hutchison, one-time sensei at Brandon, was inducted into the Judo Manitoba Hall of Fame in the Builder category.

Congratulations to all the athletes, and thanks to all the volunteers and referees who made our tournament a success.

Brandon Open Shiai 2015

Over 100 competitors took part in the 2015 Brandon Open Judo shiai, or tournament. The shiai took place on Saturday, October 24th, 2015, at École New Era School. Competition began at 11 AM and ran until just after 5 PM.

Judoka came to Brandon from all across Manitoba, as well as contingents from Northwestern Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Brandon Competitors

Melody Kroeker competed in 2 categories, taking silver in both the Under 18 Women -52/-57kg combined division and the Under 21 -52kg division. Sarah Blaikie took silver in the Under 21 Women -63/-70kg combined division. Neal Hackler took bronze in the Senior Men -66/-73kg combined division. James Liu competed in the Senior Men -81/-90kg combined division.

Jonathan Ellis competed in the Under 10 category, and Marita Kroeker & Dreyton Ireland competed in the Under 12 category.

Coaching Award

The 2015 recipient of the Silvio Sboto Memorial Award for Excellence in Coaching was May Baldo-Oduca of the Inner City Judo Club in Winnipeg, MB.

RIP Don Eastman

Sensei Don Eastman’s obituary has appeared on the Brandon Sun website.

Dr. Donald Eugene Eastman passed away in his sleep, on Monday, June 30, 2014 at the age of 72 years. He is survived by his children Sylvie Eastman (Ron Laurie) of Kitchener, Ontario, Bert of Winnipeg, Jodie (Christopher) Brooking and their children Richard and Jessica, sister Elaine Eastman of Burlington, Ontario, sister-in-law Wynne Eastman of Waterloo, Ontario, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Don was predeceased by his parents Clifford and Jane, sister Lois (Jim) Unsworth and brother Phil. Don was a long time professor at Brandon University and a judo instructor. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Donations in memory of Don may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Unit A1-800 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 6N5.

Brandon Open shiai 2013

Thanks to all the athletes, coaches, referees, and volunteers that made our shiai a great success. Congratulations to sensei Michael Bergman of the Southwest Judo Club, the recipient of this year’s Silvio Sboto Memorial Award for coaching excellence.