Ukrainian brings national judo championship to P.A.

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It was a similar story at the 2015 Edmonton International Judo Championships in March, where Pryschchepa earned gold against the Under-18 peers, and a bronze in the 100kg senior category.

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Pryschchepa said it was important that he competed at the U21 and senior levels, so he’d know what to expect when he has to make the jump up to those categories.

“I need to be ready,” said Pryschchepa. “It’s additional practice. I need to fight, in any division.

“I’m really working hard at every practice. I trying to not miss any practices, especially my judo practices. I have additional working out (sessions).”

Pryshchepa first started practicing in his native Cherkasy, Ukraine, a city of 286,000 people situated in central part of the country and off the coast of the Dnieper River. Shortly after, Pryshchepa then wentto  a sport college for judo to enhance his abilities and won nationals in his native Ukraine, before moving to Canada with his parents.

Not only is he well versed in judo, Pryschchepa also took up wrestling to compete with the St. Mary Marauders. Although he considers himself much more of a judoka than a wrestler, Pryschchepa still went 11-0 including a gold medal at regionals. He didn’t go to provincials, he decided to go to the Edmonton tournament instead.

“I tried to do some judo throws in wrestling and that was successful, because wrestlers don’t know those throws,” said Pryschchepa. “Wrestling really helped me with my group work in judo.”

Now with a national title under his belt, Pryschchepa has his sights set on the Western Canada Summer Games from Aug. 7 to 16 in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Neuman picks up bronze at nationals

Pryschchepa wasn’t the only one of the Prince Albert Judo Club members to get a national medal.

Megan Neuman earned a bronze medal in her debut nationals.

“It made me pretty happy to have been there for my first nationals and have played,” said Neuman. “This was my first nationals. You meet a lot of people there. There’s a lot of highly competitive people there, especially from Quebec and Ontario.”

Neuman also competed at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C., back in February-March.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea