The cadets of Judo Legazpi, in the club’s training place. /
Last weekend the children and cadets of Judo Legazpi participated in the Euskadi Judo Championship in Gasteiz
Last weekend the Arriaga de Gasteiz sports center and its tatamis hosted the Euskadi Judo Championship. On Saturday the 2nd it was the turn of the cadets. In the -50 kg category, Markel Vesga got the bronze. As for the category -60 kg; Ibai Gil and Seth Willis got fifth place, Xabier Parra and Unax Pereira both got seventh place. Rubén Calvo finished fifth in the -66 kg category. Endika Perez de Arenaza got the bronze in the -73 kg category, and Manex Uranga came in fifth position.
On Sunday 3rd it was the children’s turn. In the -42 kg category, Alfredo Suarez got the bronze, and Urko Osinalde was in fifth position. Iñigo Arakama was in fifth position, and Ibai Saralegi was seventh in the -50 kg category. In the +66 kg category, Urko Betolaza finished fifth.
“It may not have reflected all the work done, but it has helped us to continue doing more,” says Markel Vesga, one of the cadets. The cadets have been working hard since the term began in September. In addition to training, this season for the first time, the club has begun to collaborate with the Ekinez center, specifically with the physical trainer Lara Estébanez. “We wanted the athletes to have a certain level of performance, but nobody is forced,” says Asier Berasategi, the club’s coach. The cadets, from their own experience, add that they have noticed a great physical change, both in training and in competitions.
Although they have not achieved all the expected results, the work done during this season will serve for the next season. Some of the cadets will be the eldest in the category next season, so they are more likely to get good positions and great results.
Black belt
Now that the ‘official’ competitions are over, the cadets are preparing for the exam to get the black belt, which will take place in the middle of June. According to Berasategi, it is a test that demonstrates the “beauty of judo”, since they must perform a series of movements that must be executed perfectly. Manex Uranga, Rubén Calvo and Endika Pérez de Arenaza will be the ones who will take the exam, since the minimum age to take the exam is 16 years old.
The three members of the local club who will take the exam will meet before a court made up of three great masters from the Basque Country, who will ask them both theoretical and practical questions. Achieving the black belt will be a good way to close this year’s season. Looking ahead to the next season, Judo Legazpi intends to participate in four or five national competitions. By participating in these competitions, athletes will gain experience to compete.
