Traralgon Judo Club was well represented at the Judo Federation of Australia National Championships, held in Geelong over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Four Judoka from Traralgon contested senior boys and cadet divisions.
The Traralgon students are members of the Victorian Judo squad who commit to a 16-week training program, travelling to Melbourne for squad practice every Saturday.
In the senior boys (under 15s), Noah Nightingale fought his way through demanding preliminary rounds to make the final of the under 55 kilogram division.
Noah fought courageously in the final to go away with a national silver medal.
“Noah won three tough preliminary fights to make the final,” head state junior coach David Nabulsi said.
“In the final he injured his right wrist within the first minute, (but) gritted his teeth and demonstrated great determination to complete the fight.
“Unfortunately Noah came runner-up by a very small margin. A great achievement to be the national silver medallist”.
In his first year in the under 18 cadet division Aaron Nabulsi fought through the repechage rounds to come away with a seventh placing after two losses and two wins.
Zach Nabulsi and Axel Nightingale were also in their first year of under 15 senior boys competition and fought fiercely in the under 50kg division.
Both were unable to come away with a win against older competitors.
