Jannessa Keays (far left) says she is satisfied with her performance this weekend at Nationals. (Judo Canada)

By Nigel Maxwell

The Keays to Success

Prince Albert’s Keays fights through injury and wins silver at nationals

Dec 14, 2022 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Jannessa Keays has proved once again she has the heart of a lion.

The 19-year-old won silver this past weekend at the 2022 Canadian Elite Judo nationals in Edmonton.

“I didn’t expect to do that well and I pulled through on myself,” she said when contacted by paNOW on Wednesday.

In April, Keays suffered a knee injury and was actually told by doctors she may not be able to compete this year. Fortunately, the injury was better than what it was made out to be, so Keays was able to return to full training only three weeks ago.

“It has been tough and I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to do some moves because of it. It has come a long way and it held up,” she said.

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Reflecting on the recent tournament, Keays said she was overall satisfied with how she did while adding her wish her final match had lasted longer. Her opponent bested her early in the match with a choke.

Moving forward, Keays, who is also attending university, said she is unsure when she will compete again but is hoping to get back on the mat at the end of January or early April.

Keays competes out of the Saskatoon YMCA Judo Club and was awarded both U21 Female Athlete of the Year and Senior Female Athlete of the year awards during Judo Saskatchewan’s banquet in October.

Highlight events for her this past year include a gold medal at the Quebec Open and a bronze medal at the Pan American / Oceania Junior Championship held in Peru.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell