IF STARTING early is the key to sporting greatness, judo in Hoppers Crossing has a bright future. Jett Dorcich and Alex Murray recently began their judo training, years earlier than their closest peers did.
Spurred on by watching their older siblings train and compete, the boys couldn’t wait any longer and have become Victoria’s youngest registered judo competitors.
The two will test their abilities in a Victoria-wide judo competition in Geelong in September.Jett and Alex are punching well above their weight, not to mention their ages. John Guljas, an instructor at the Sei Shin Kan Judo Academy, says that Jett, four, and Alex, six, had been given the green light to register by Judo Victoria.
For over a month the boys had been coming along to the Grange Community Centre in Hoppers Crossing to watch their older brothers and sisters train, but weren’t allowed on the mats because they were too young. “I didn’t think they should compete. The youngest kids so far began training at six and weren’t registered competitors until they were eight,” Mr Guljas said.
However, the boys wouldn’t be discouraged so easily. “They were always joining in at the games at the end of class, but even more interested in the judo, always asking ‘Can I please come on the mat, Sensei?’ ”Jett would sit and watch and always say “I can’t wait until I’m old enough!” his mother, Nadine Dorcich, said. “We were a bit unsure at first because being so young his attention span might not be so great, but it’s been no problem at all.”
Spurned by the eagerness of the boys, Mr Guljas sought the advice of Judo Victoria, who gave the OK for Alex and Jett to get involved.
“They’ve been great. Jett isn’t even in prep, and Alex just turned six, but they are mixing it up with kids from grade 1 to grade 3. “They’re like sponges. They absorb everything we teach without any questions,” he said.
The two certainly aren’t wasting the opportunity. They will be trying for their yellow belt grading in two weeks, and hope to test their skills at a Victoria-wide judo competition in Geelong in September. “I’ve got a funny feeling they’ll come home with a medal,” Mr Guljas said. “Jett’s excited.” Nadine said.
“He counts down the sleeps to the next meet.”
John Guljas has been involved in the Japanese martial art of judo for 26 years and his business partner, Yoshi Uemura, has been instructing for eight. Their Sei Shin Kan Judo Academy has been open just five months, but already has a loyal following of junior and senior competitors.Information about the school can be found at 0405 735 500 or by contacting The Grange Community Centre on 8742 8000.
Fonte: Werribee, Hoppers Crossing Star - Pakenham, Victoria, Australia
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