SUMMERSIDE – The Toshidokan Judo Club (TJC) in Summerside will be well represented at this week’s national open championships.
Four athletes and two coaches from the TJC will be making the trip to Calgary as part of Team P.E.I., which is comprised of athletes and coaches from all four P.E.I. clubs.
Sebastian Nash makes his fourth appearance at nationals while George Madumba and Ellen Gillis mark their second trip. This will be Kris Lafrance’s first time competing at the Canadian championships, and his division is under-16 -60 kilograms. The TJC’s Tracey Gallant and Chris Townsend are part of Team P.E.I.’s coaching staff.
Madumba and Nash are ranked two and three in Canada for -90 kilograms in the under-18 age group. Both won silver and bronze at the Elite 8 national championships in January 2018.
Madumba and Gillis both won bronze medals at the national open championships in their respective under-16 categories last May in Calgary.
Ellen Gillis is ranked No. 6 in Canada in the plus-70 kilograms under-18 class.
“We are looking at Nash and Madumba to medal high in their division,” said Townsend, who is TJC’s head sensei. “We are hoping to see them both fight each other for gold.
“Ellen looks good to place as well and, with a good draw, Kris has a chance to place as well. All four have been putting in tons of mat time and gym time.”
