Eight-year-old Alexander Kiriak said it was his father’s advice that pushed him to a gold medal.

The young athlete earned a hardfought title in the mixed U10 -41kg category over Zephyr Bingham at the Yukon Judo Championships.

“He told me to be fast like a raptor and aggressive like a T-Rex,” Kiriak told the Star moments after winning his final bout Saturday afternoon at the Canada Games Centre.

Kiriak’s championship victory capped his first judo season in style.

The youngster chose judo over karate and spent the season training with the Northern Lights Judo Club (NLJ) in Whitehorse. He also picked up the male sportsmanship award at the championships.

“It makes me feel special,” he said of the first-place finish. “But it’s not all about winning. It’s about having fun.”

Kiriak’s gold medal was one of 19 handed out on the day.

A total of eight clubs battled for honours in multiple weight categories, with local judokas winning 16 titles.

On hand for the 2015 championships were four Yukon clubs, as well as Anchorage, Juneau, Northwest Territories and Kelowna, B.C.

In total, 61 athletes hit the mat set up in the fieldhouse.

Kiriak’s club teammate Gabriel Racine took home two gold medals on the day.

The seven-year-old beat Golden Horn’s (GHJ) Jazzen Patterson in the final of the mixed U10 -38kg category to win gold, then earned first place in the beginner judo knowledge division.

“It makes me happy,” the rookie said of the two victories.

“I was trying my hardest because I really wanted gold.”

Other young winners included the Hinchey sisters – also members at Northern Lights.

Jaymi Hinchey earned gold in the mixed U10 -29kg category over Luke Roberts (GHJ) and was also named the toughest female competitor at the event.

“It makes me really excited,” the eight-year-old said of her medal win.

Hinchey, who also participates in dance, joined judo this season because she likes to wrestle.

Meanwhile, six-year-old Lia Hinchey dropped her first match in the mixed U8 -23kg category to Mannix Bingham, then came all the way back to beat Bingham in the title bout.

“On my first one, I was more nervous,” said the youngster, who gained confidence with each bout.

“Everyone knows my favourite move – tiatoshi,” she explained. “But in the final I tricked him. I reached back behind my back to throw him. It was really exciting.”

Shiroumakai Judo (SHK) head instructor Aaron Jensen said 90 per cent of the athletes fighting Saturday were U12.

Having representation from four non-territorial clubs made the Yukon championships more competitive, and the partnerships are mutual, said Jensen. For instance, seven Yukoners attended the Alaska State Judo Championships last month, winning five medals.

Other gold medal winners Saturday included: Covelle Patterson (GHJ), Kaleb Parry (NLJ), Mackenzie Tonner (NLJ), Jayden Iskra (SHK) (2), Daniel Tonner (SHK), Jonathan Racine (NLJ), Cassi Jensen (SHK), Judy Russell (SHK), Jadon Leenders (SHK) and Jacob Melanson (SHK).

Outside winners included Juneau’s Jay Watts in the senior men -81kg division, and Anchorage’s Gavin Mellon and Carl Malagodi.

Watts, coach of the Juneau club, said his group has attended the Yukon championships for six straight years.

“Judo Yukon puts on a fabulous event,” he said. “The Alaska circuit has already ended by this time, so our kids use this as a preparation for nationals.”

Meanwhile, N.W.T. coach Mario DesForges, who attended with just one athlete, said he hopes to have more representation from Yellowknife next year.

He is also interested in creating a pan-territorial open tournament.

Special award winners were most improved athletes: Mackenzie Bolduc (GHJ) and Rowen Kingston (SHK); toughest competitors: Jaymi Hinchey and Daniel Tonner; best throws: Cassi Jensen and Gavin Mellon; and sportsmanship: Emersyne Sias (SHK) and Alexander Kiriak.

The club winner of the Judo Yukon Champions League Cup will be named in the near future.

Later this month, Judo Yukon will send a small team of athletes to the national championships in Quebec.