A new judo club has the combined talent of Olympic wrestlers, a world champion judo fighter, a purple belt in jiu jitsu and a judo dad.
For the past three months, Powell River Judo Club has been offering a variety of training to children as young as five. The program offers judo, jiu jitsu and more to people interested in fighting sports.
Jeff Lloyd, club founder and father of Abby, world championship judo fighter, said the closing of a previous club left a void in Powell River that he wanted to fill.
“We needed to put a club together for the kids and the people who were still interested in entering the program. Jiu jitsu also needed a venue as well. Their club had grown substantially. [We] figured it would be a good time to get together.”
Lloyd and jiu jitsu instructor Simon Mithmuangneua combined venues to create Powell River Judo Club.
“We’ve had people for about two and a half years,” said Mithmuangneua. “It all started out in my partner’s basement two and a half years ago, quickly moved to my house, moved over to the old judo club before my relationship with Jeff.”
Lloyd describes jiu jitsu as “ground-based fighting” whereas judo is more of a “throw-oriented” sport. He said they are very similar so people can be cross-trained in both.
He also added that there is a great calibre of talent among the instructors, making the judo club elite for its location.
“We have Kyla Bremner, the very first female to represent women in wrestling. She and her husband are teaching wrestling on Sundays.”
Bremner, a medical doctor who grew up in Powell River, was the first Australian female wrestler to compete at the Olympics. She placed 17th in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Also instructing classes is Lloyd’s daughter, Abby, who placed ninth in judo at the cadet World Championships in Ukraine last August. Abby has a long list of achievements, including two gold medals at the youth provincials in 2011. She is a five-time BC champion and a 2009 Edmonton International champion. She will be in Germany this month to compete for the Thuringia Cup.
Drew Thistle, another instructor, has a purple belt in jiu jitsu.
Lloyd said it is huge talent compiled into a little club. “The calibre that’s coming out of this little club is incredible; talent you don’t normally see in
big metropolitan areas.”
Lloyd also added that the club is inexpensive to join. Judo costs $150 for three months. Practices are twice a week and there are tournaments during that time too.
“We just want to let everyone know that we’re here and things are progressing. Between the jiu jitsu and the judo and the people who are coming out here it’s incredible. Between the two of them there’s something for everyone. We’re always accepting new applicants.”
For more information, Lloyd invited people to stop by the club in Powell River Town Centre Mall across from Shoppers Drug Mart.
