Young judokas will fight each other at year-end tournament Saturday

At the Nunavut Judo Club meeting Thursday night, 32 kids waited to be graded for all the throwing, grappling and body-striking they did over the past year.

They were about to receive their new belts, which would symbolize their achievements in that time.

Miki-Jaq Bracken, a 12-year-old assistant coach who has been doing judo at the club in Iqaluit for five years, was one of the two youngsters in the group with an orange-yellow belt — the highest level, compared to the others.

She stood at the very left of the line, as one of the most skilled judokas.

“Miki-Jaq Bracken, orange belt,” announced her sensei or teacher, Peter Melanson. Bracken approached him, shook his hand, bowed, and put her new belt on.

She’s now three belts away from Shodan — the beginner’s level of black belt.

Miki-Jaq Bracken is shown after receiving her orange belt. “She is an inspiration for the kids. She does very well,” says coach Andrew Keim. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

Bracken, along with her fellow judo players, is getting ready for the final tournament of the year on May 18.

The tournament will take place at the Aqsarniit Middle School, starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and is open to the public.

“You just got your new belt, and now you are going to kick some butt,” Andrew Keim, a longtime coach at the club, said with a chuckle.

The tournament is a way to end the nine-month season at the club that will start again in September.

All the kids will be divided into groups of four, by age and weight, and within those groups they will fight for one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

In the end everyone gets a medal, but they are still encouraged to fight competitively.

Bracken hopes to get silver or a gold. “Silver would be enough,” she said modestly.

The club was created 20 years ago with the purpose to “get the kids off the street,” said Keim.

It’s entirely volunteer-based and relies heavily on funding from the Government of Nunavut and private companies like Nolinor Aviation and Hanson Construction.

Nunavut Judo Club’s tournament will take place in the gym of the Aqsarniit Middle School in Iqaluit. It starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and is open to the public. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

Nunavut Judo Club is recognized by Judo Canada, the sport’s national governing body, so the accomplishments of all the students are transferable if they choose to continue doing judo anywhere in the country.

Keim is coaching kids from ages four to seven.

“It’s a bit like herding cats,” he said. “We are doing judo, but more of body awareness — how to fall down and not bump your nose.”

The main point of the Nunavut Judo Club and judo as a whole is to keep your partner safe while fighting, Keim said.

Judo started in 1882. It is an amalgamation of different sports and was created as a safe alternative to jiu-jitsu.

“So the only way I get better is if my tori or uke — my partner — is going to allow me to throw him,” Keim said.

“So if we were partners, I would throw you to the best of my ability with the technique. But I would also ensure that you never get hurt.”

The tournament will take place in the gym of Aqsarniit Middle School. It starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and is open to the public.

“Usually, it’s only the parents who come but anyone can attend,” said Charles Lagace, a parent-volunteer on the club’s board.

“Well, it doesn’t sound right, but it’s nice to see the kids fight.”