Judoka Abby Lloyd is heading to Miami after winning gold and bronze medals in Richmond last weekend.
She will compete in the Judo World Championships in Florida in August after going undefeated in her under-18 cadet class at Canadian National Judo tournament held at the Richmond Olympic Oval, July 5.
As Abby is currently training for the world event, the Peak reached her father, Jeff, for comment.
Abby won a gold medal in the under-18 48-kilogram category. Jeff said that her time training in jiu-jitsu is paying off as she was able to beat opponents using floor fighting techniques.
The martial arts fighting style of jiu-jitsu is a close relative of judo. Judo, generally focuses more practice on fighting standing up and on throws, but jiu-jitsu, which grew out of judo, is more floor-based and focused on putting opponents into submission holds.
In addition to fighting in under-18, she also competed in the under-21 category and took a bronze medal there after being defeated in one of her three judo matches.
“I couldn’t be prouder of her,” said Jeff. “She’s driven and when everyone else is going out partying she is staying on track. She’s got a dream and she’s making it happen.”
Abby has also had a lot of success in the wrestling ring and was slated to compete in Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec this summer but has since withdrawn from the competition because it is happening at the same time she would be in Miami.
Jeff said that it was nice having the nationals so close to home this year because it gave Abby’s supporters the chance to attend the matches and cheer her on.
Miami will be the second time the 16-year-old has competed against the world. In 2011 she travelled to Kiev, Ukraine to battle the world’s best. She came in ninth.
“Her goal is to try to do better this time around,” he said.
