Monthly Archives: July 2018

ISBA Judo Pan American Championships

The ISBA Judo Pan American Championships got underway on May 20, 2018. The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada was the competition venue for this event. The tournament was a part of the Canadian Open Judo Championships. More than 50 athletes representing six countries competed in this event. Five time visually impaired national champion Adnan Gutic was amongst the pool of competitor for this tournament. Adnan was in a highly talented and competitive division. He got off to a strong start with a win in his first match. Lost a heartbreaker in the second match. Gutic bounced back in his last two matches ending the day at 3-1, taking home a bronze medal.

Promotion Night May 16, 2018

It was a great night for White Dragon Judo Club as it promoted three of its most skilled students. With 7th dan Randy Pierce and 4th dan Derick Wellman presiding, the club promoted Anthony Weeks and Byron Helmrich to Shodan, 1st degree black belt and Phillip Vojta to Ikkyu, 1st degree brown belt. Anthony Weeks made a name for himself as one of the top junior instructors at the school. A selfless judoka, Anthony is known to be a great training partner and shiai competitor. Byron Helmrich had come a long way, literally, to reach the rank of Shodan. The Rolla, Missouri native commuted to Saint Louis three times a week to learn judo. A part time yoga instructor, Byron improved steadily as a shiai and kata competitor. Phillip Vojta has vaulted himself to being one of the most successful shiai competitors to date. The Saint Louis University college student is very disciplined and dedicates himself to his studies and his martial art. Persistence, dedication and selflessness are the characteristics of these three judokas. They are assets to their martial art and the community.