By Drew Wilson

Three PA judokas going for national titles

May 14, 2015 | 7:17 AM

Three Prince Albert Judo club members hope to come back from Quebec with national titles.

The best local hope for a Canadian title is a former resident of Ukraine.

Ihor Pryshchepa has won national championships in his home country and has considerable experience fighting in big competitions in Ukraine. The 16-year-old can’t wait to compete in his new country.

“I’m very happy I’m going to the nationals and I’m very happy I have this opportunity”. 

However, Ihor said competing in the U-18 +90 kilogram (kg) class will be a considerable challenge.

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“In Ukraine, I was national champion but it was in the minus 90 kg (weight class) but now I’ve changed my weight division from minus 90 to plus 90 (kg). It’s harder to fight bigger guys. A lot of the guys I will fight are 20-to-30 kg bigger.”

Kace Callaghan is competing in the U-16 U-60kg class. The 13-year-old rookie on the national scene is hoping it’s a stepping stone to the ultimate competition in his sport.

“It’s going to be a big learning curve to hopefully take me to the Olympics someday.”

Megan Neuman is the lone girl from the Prince Albert club heading to the event near Montreal. She is hoping to build on her Canada Winter Games experience.

“This is my first time going to such a big tournament. I think there will be more people competing at this tournament.”

The 15-year-old who is fighting in the U-18, U-63kg class is also looking at nationals as a chance to form new relationships within the sport.

“It’s pretty good in this sport especially, you meet a lot of people from different provinces, even in other tournaments, other provinces are kind of close and get to know each other, so you make pretty good relationships and see a lot of good things when you travel.”

Callaghan agreed it can be a cultural experience while fiercely competitive.

“It’s really fun going to the competition, knowing the people you’re fighting. The (judo) community is really accepting to everybody.”   

Neuman and Callaghan have been involved in judo for four years and plan on competing for many years to come.

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: @RaidersVoice