There’s no better way to finish off an undefeated streak than in a blaze of glory.
Fort resident Jared Catholique- Bruyere, 16, capped off a remarkable season by winning the gold medal in the plus-81 category of the Juvenile division at the national judo championships in Toronto this past weekend.
Now it’s time for a much-needed rest.
“It feels good, but I feel better that judo season is done for now,” said a worn-out but happy Catholique-Bruyere. “I put a lot of hard work into this year, and it paid off.”^The martial artist, who hasn’t lost since last year’s nationals, was the number one seed entering this past weekend’s event.
After a first-round bye, he dispatched Alberta’s Ben Noji with a wazari throw late in their match to move on to the semifinal.
From there, Catholique- Bruyere’s patented leg throw maneuver caught long-time rival Nedjo Sarance of Ontario napping and brought an abrupt end to the semifinal just nine seconds in.
In the final, P.E.I.’s Patrick Knox offered a much stiffer challenge than he did in a semifinal loss to Catholique-Bruyere at the Canada Winter Games in February.
But the local athlete executed a wazari throw and then seconds later pulled off a holddown move that ended the match with 53 seconds left.
Catholique-Bruyere will now compete in the International Judo Federation 20-and-under group.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
