Teen takes judo bronze
By Arlene Jongbloets
Free Press staff
Aug 01 2007
Claiming a spot this year, on B.C.’s provincial judo team was a pretty big accomplishment for 16-year-old Aven Briggs, but he may have just one-upped himself by grabbing a bronze medal at the National Championships held last month in Moncton, New Brunswick.
“It was better than I expected,” said Briggs, going on to note that a top-nine finish is what he was after, and a top-three was his dream.
Some of the competition, especially from B.C. and Alberta, were old rivals, but those from the more easterly provinces were all new to Briggs, leaving him not knowing exactly what to expect.
The judo brown belt earned his way to the Nationals by collecting the highest number of points in his division, accumulated over four qualifying B.C. tournaments.
Briggs was a first- time Nationals participant in 2006, placing ninth in the Under 73 Kg category.
His bronze medal this year, came in the Under 81 Kg division and just may have paved the way for bigger and better things.
He explained that holding a national medal puts him in the running for international competition, providing he can claim another top three placement in at least one of four other major Canadian tournaments held in 2007. The next one comes up in November in Ontario and he has his fingers crossed.
“If I manage a top three, I will be considered to be sent out of country to compete for Canada, although on a lower level. Certainly not in the A Division,” said Briggs. “I think I might have a good chance, but it really depends on how well prepared, mentally and physically, I am. And sometimes it can depend on the day. Nothing’s for sure.”
Briggs has been a member of the 100 Mile based Kokoro Judo Club for the past eight years.
He takes his sport seriously, spending between four and eight hours on the practice mat each week and copious amounts of time conditioning through running, biking, swimming and weight training.
FONTE: 100 Mile House Free Press - Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada
By Arlene Jongbloets
Free Press staff
Aug 01 2007
Claiming a spot this year, on B.C.’s provincial judo team was a pretty big accomplishment for 16-year-old Aven Briggs, but he may have just one-upped himself by grabbing a bronze medal at the National Championships held last month in Moncton, New Brunswick.
“It was better than I expected,” said Briggs, going on to note that a top-nine finish is what he was after, and a top-three was his dream.
Some of the competition, especially from B.C. and Alberta, were old rivals, but those from the more easterly provinces were all new to Briggs, leaving him not knowing exactly what to expect.
The judo brown belt earned his way to the Nationals by collecting the highest number of points in his division, accumulated over four qualifying B.C. tournaments.
Briggs was a first- time Nationals participant in 2006, placing ninth in the Under 73 Kg category.
His bronze medal this year, came in the Under 81 Kg division and just may have paved the way for bigger and better things.
He explained that holding a national medal puts him in the running for international competition, providing he can claim another top three placement in at least one of four other major Canadian tournaments held in 2007. The next one comes up in November in Ontario and he has his fingers crossed.
“If I manage a top three, I will be considered to be sent out of country to compete for Canada, although on a lower level. Certainly not in the A Division,” said Briggs. “I think I might have a good chance, but it really depends on how well prepared, mentally and physically, I am. And sometimes it can depend on the day. Nothing’s for sure.”
Briggs has been a member of the 100 Mile based Kokoro Judo Club for the past eight years.
He takes his sport seriously, spending between four and eight hours on the practice mat each week and copious amounts of time conditioning through running, biking, swimming and weight training.
FONTE: 100 Mile House Free Press - Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada
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