The Canada Games Centre was filled with young judokas from across the territory and Alaska on Saturday hoping to fight their way to the top of the podium.

Sixty-five athletes from seven different clubs competed at the 2018 Judo Yukon Open Championships in 16 different divisions separating the athletes based on factors such as weight, gender and skill level in order to make the competition as fair as possible.

Some of the older and more experienced age groups had only two competitors, but in order to ensure the athletes could compete, the competition was held in a best two-of-three format.

The tournament saw two teams from Alaska make the trip, which Northern Lights Judo Club head sensei Dan Poelman said has been a regular occurrence in the last few championships. Mountain View Judo came down from Anchorage with Capital City Judo competing from Juneau.

Hiroshikai Judo out of Carcross, Carmacks Judo Club and Golden Horn, Shiroumakai and Northern Lights out of Whitehorse also had young competitors in the event.

One-third of the Games Centre flexihall was turned into the judo arena with a large mat front and centre with one match at a time, surrounded by seats for friends and families. Technology was also at the front and centre of the busy competition, with two large TVs showing the schedule of upcoming fights. The fighters had the responsibility to know when they were fighting and ensure they were there on time.

“A coach from Juneau mentioned when they come here they feel like it’s their Olympics,” Poelman said of hosting the championships in the Canada Games Centre. “The venue is great and it’s a good place to have it.”

Although it was the territorial championships, Poelman said the number of athletes was down slightly from a tournament earlier in the year hosted by the Northern Lights Judo Club.

With four gold medals each, Hiroshikai and Northern Lights had the most winners at the competition, with every club represented on the podium.

Poelman said a few Yukon athletes will also be attending the Alaska State Judo Championships in Anchorage this Saturday. He will be joining the team as a coach with Jesse and James Irving out of the Shiroumakai club in Whitehorse both attending.

James won the U10 33-kilogram mixed division while Jesse took the silver in the missed U10 36-kilogram division placing behind Grayson Holmberg from Northern Lights who took the gold.

This season has seen immense growth in the sport, Poelman said, through increases in membership and interest across the territory.

As well, a new team-style tournament was held for the first time this year in Carmacks, which Poelman said was a well-organized success they hope to expand upon in future years.

This was only the second year of operation for the Carmacks Judo Club and they took home two silver medals with Joja Bellmore-Smarch in the mixed U10 27-kilogram division and Lucas Bellmore-Mayer in the male U14 60-kilogram class.

Poelman said that Judo Yukon president Richard Zebruck taught 16 classes in Haines Junction this year that could perhaps start the drive for another club in the territory as they try to spread the word of the sport and increase youth participation.