Thursday, December 9, 2010

11 Medals for Bahamas at Barbados International


The Bahamas National Judo Team finished out the year with
it's strongest performance ever at an international event. The
Barbados International is the premier tournament in the Caribbean
region, and is a two day event that features individual and
team events.

The Bahamas team won a combined medal count of 11 with seven
athletes. "We have clearly crossed a threshold and have become
a respected program at the Juniors Level. Our success is primarily
based on putting in technical and physical standards for athletes
that travel and sending athletes that are more prepared for this level
of competition." said Judo President D'Arcy Rahming.

Medal winners were Nathan Williams 16 (Bronze medal Individual,
Bronze medal Teams), Ashton Forbes 15 (Silver medal Individual),
Tajah Hudson 15 (Bronze medal Teams), Tajaro Hudson 13 (Silver
medal Individual, Bronze Teams), Elaina Cuffy 11 (Bronze medal individual,
Bronze Teams), Artio Mcphee 11 (Silver medal individual), and Ethan
Cuffy 9 (Gold medal Individual, Bronze medal Teams).

The team was coached by Sensei Mickey Munnings and Sensei Albert Lill.
Also of note was that three Bahamian National Referees participated in
the tournament. The referees are David Rahming, Reno Culmer and
Melanie Lobosky. They received high praise from Refereeing Director
Keith Weithers Barbados Highest Certified International Referee. The
Federation's goal is to qualify these three referees as international
continental referees by the end of 2011.

The year will end with a Winter Training Camp December 20th through
the 23rd that will occur at Bahamas Judo Federation Headquarters on
Joe Farrington Road. Interested persons should call Bahamas Judo at
364-6773.

Photos:
Entire delegation
Referees Left to right: Melanie Lobosky, Reno Culmer, David Rahming
Bahamas Team at International Training Camp

Disabled Athlete Leads Bahamas Judo Team




Nathan Williams was born with one arm shorter
than the other. His parents enrolled him in
Judo classes at the age of 4 to make sure that
his shorter arm was being exercised.

Little did they realize that one day he would
be the Captain of a national team of one of the
toughest sports in the world. Or that he would
be fully competitive with athletes that had
no disabilities and would represent his country
internationally.

Nathan is now a 15 year old SAC student. He
recently represented the country at the CAC
games in Puerto Rico. He is a former Under 13
Pan Am Bronze Medalist. He will lead the team
as the athlete Captain at the Barbados
International.

The team consists of Nathan Williams 15, Artio
Mcphee 11, Elaina Cuffy 11, Ethan Cuffy 9,
Tajaro Hudson 13, Ashton Forbes 15 and Tajah
Hudson 15.

National coaches will be Mickey Munning and
Albert Lill and the delegation will be headed by
Federation President D'Arcy Rahming.

The team will be accompanied by Referees
David Rahming, Melanie Lobosky and Reno
Culmer who will be beginning the process
for international referee certification.
Anyone interested in Judo can contact Bahamas
Judo Headquarters on Joe Farrington Road at
364-6773.

Pictured (left to right: Tajaro Hudson, Tajah Hudson,
Coach Mickey Munnings, Elaina Cuffy, Ethan Cuffy,
and Strength Training Coach Father Frank Colebrooke).
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