Althammers have nationals pinned
By Erin CardoneJul 02 2006
Maddie Althammer’s hold downs are impossible to escape.
Thomas Althammer can toss a superlative fighter like a sack of potatoes.
The two are siblings and prodigies in their trade – Judo – and are both competing at National Judo Championships this weekend in Lethbridge, Alta.
“Maddie, if she ever gets anyone down in a pin... there’s no escape and she has wicked throws,” the siblings’ sensei Christian Hausot said.
He’s a coach at North Capital Judo Club.
“[Thomas] goes after tough guys all the time.
“I’ve never seen him pick someone [to fight] he can grab and beat. He always picks guys who are as tough as him and tougher and that’s exactly why he’s so good.”
In fact, Thomas, 15, is the top judoka in B.C., placing first in an array of tournaments and snatching medals in competitive events.
In their seven years of sparring, Thomas and Maddie, 14, have adopted Judo as an intrinsic part of their lives.
“Now, it’s a lifestyle,” Thomas said.
“You test yourself against other people, mentally and physically.”
Both agree Judo is fun and love the opportunity to fight other judokas.
Hausot applauds the siblings’ dedication to the sport. The two travel to Prince George at least once a week for practices – where they usually battle larger, more experienced opponents.
He said they never miss a tournament, and work “so hard that [they get] about twice as much in as some that are in there all the time.”
As a result, Hausot is confident Thomas will take a top-three finish.
“He can have good results right now. He’s very, very good. I think he can medal.
“We can take him way past the Canadian championship.”
Thomas was selected to represent B.C. at nationals last year as well. He went in with little expectation, and came out in sixth or seventh place (his placement is disputable, according to his mother, Antje).
“We were really happy,” Antje smiled.
This year, Thomas’ expectations are much higher. He, like Hausot, seeks a medal at this time around.
A month ago, Thomas was concerned his weight might let him down.
Tipping the scale at 73 kg in April, he sat at the bottom of his 73-81 weight class.
But he’s bulked up since, hitting the gym to pack on muscle, and now weighs 77 kg.
“You want to be close to the top weight or else [your opponents] will manhandle you,” Hausot explained.
Maddie’s weight situation is a cause of stress for her. She fits into the 64-kg plus class, leaving a ton of space for strong, heavy opponents.
Maddie shouldn’t be too concerned, though, Hausot said.
“I don’t worry about her.
“It’s very hard to escape her hold downs. She’s very, very strong, very deceiving. I have a feeling she could get a medal.”
But Maddie seeks a modest top-eight finish at nationals.
This is her first time competing Canada-wide, though last year she passed all the selection rounds and was nearly entered into the competition.
That is, until the last minute when judges realized she was too young.
“It was kind of a let down,” she said.
She sat on the fence between nervousness and total excitement in the face of the competition.
Thomas, on the other hand, was itching to fight the best judokas in the country. He counted down the days until the competition.
The pair left for Lethbridge Friday, and fought Saturday and today (Sunday).
The Althammer family seems to have Judo tumbling in their blood. Thomas and Maddie’s younger sister, Lucia, shows promise of following in the other two’s footsteps, Hausot said.
Lucia captured the gold medal in her division for Judo at 2006 B.C. Winter Games.
Both Maddie and Thomas are so passionate about the sport, they say they’ll practice it the rest of their lives. FONTE: Quesnel Cariboo Observer - B.C., Canada - http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
Thomas Althammer can toss a superlative fighter like a sack of potatoes.
The two are siblings and prodigies in their trade – Judo – and are both competing at National Judo Championships this weekend in Lethbridge, Alta.
“Maddie, if she ever gets anyone down in a pin... there’s no escape and she has wicked throws,” the siblings’ sensei Christian Hausot said.
He’s a coach at North Capital Judo Club.
“[Thomas] goes after tough guys all the time.
“I’ve never seen him pick someone [to fight] he can grab and beat. He always picks guys who are as tough as him and tougher and that’s exactly why he’s so good.”
In fact, Thomas, 15, is the top judoka in B.C., placing first in an array of tournaments and snatching medals in competitive events.
In their seven years of sparring, Thomas and Maddie, 14, have adopted Judo as an intrinsic part of their lives.
“Now, it’s a lifestyle,” Thomas said.
“You test yourself against other people, mentally and physically.”
Both agree Judo is fun and love the opportunity to fight other judokas.
Hausot applauds the siblings’ dedication to the sport. The two travel to Prince George at least once a week for practices – where they usually battle larger, more experienced opponents.
He said they never miss a tournament, and work “so hard that [they get] about twice as much in as some that are in there all the time.”
As a result, Hausot is confident Thomas will take a top-three finish.
“He can have good results right now. He’s very, very good. I think he can medal.
“We can take him way past the Canadian championship.”
Thomas was selected to represent B.C. at nationals last year as well. He went in with little expectation, and came out in sixth or seventh place (his placement is disputable, according to his mother, Antje).
“We were really happy,” Antje smiled.
This year, Thomas’ expectations are much higher. He, like Hausot, seeks a medal at this time around.
A month ago, Thomas was concerned his weight might let him down.
Tipping the scale at 73 kg in April, he sat at the bottom of his 73-81 weight class.
But he’s bulked up since, hitting the gym to pack on muscle, and now weighs 77 kg.
“You want to be close to the top weight or else [your opponents] will manhandle you,” Hausot explained.
Maddie’s weight situation is a cause of stress for her. She fits into the 64-kg plus class, leaving a ton of space for strong, heavy opponents.
Maddie shouldn’t be too concerned, though, Hausot said.
“I don’t worry about her.
“It’s very hard to escape her hold downs. She’s very, very strong, very deceiving. I have a feeling she could get a medal.”
But Maddie seeks a modest top-eight finish at nationals.
This is her first time competing Canada-wide, though last year she passed all the selection rounds and was nearly entered into the competition.
That is, until the last minute when judges realized she was too young.
“It was kind of a let down,” she said.
She sat on the fence between nervousness and total excitement in the face of the competition.
Thomas, on the other hand, was itching to fight the best judokas in the country. He counted down the days until the competition.
The pair left for Lethbridge Friday, and fought Saturday and today (Sunday).
The Althammer family seems to have Judo tumbling in their blood. Thomas and Maddie’s younger sister, Lucia, shows promise of following in the other two’s footsteps, Hausot said.
Lucia captured the gold medal in her division for Judo at 2006 B.C. Winter Games.
Both Maddie and Thomas are so passionate about the sport, they say they’ll practice it the rest of their lives. FONTE: Quesnel Cariboo Observer - B.C., Canada - http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
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